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Practical Lessons In 
Parliamentary 
Procedure 


by 

1^'^. Mary (Redfield) Plummer 


Chicago, Illinois 
1921 






Copyright, 192j^ 

hv 

Mary Redfield Plummer 


FEB-2^22 

©CI.A653705 

I 


FOREWORD 


3 N all gatherings where it is desired to arrive at 
the composite opinion of those present, quickly, 
accurately and impartially, the discussion is con¬ 
ducted and the result attained according to rules which 
have been evolved through the long experience of delib¬ 
erative bodies. These rules are known as Parliamentary 
Law. 

Parliamentary Law has been codified in accordance 
with accepted usage of formal organizations, and the 
manuals upon it are numerous. 

It is difficult, however, to become adept in applica¬ 
tion through manuals alone, and competent teachers are 
not always available. The author of these Practical 
Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure . has for thirty 
years successfully taught these rules along the present 
lines, and has received many appeals for help where 
it was impossible to give lessons personally. 

Knowing that there is an increasing call from young 
people for the knowledge which will equip them for 
group deliberation and impartial action, the author 
presents these simple and practical lessons in form 
which she hopes will meet the need for class work and 
for individual study. 

To those who aspire to KNOW and to ACT in 
accordance with authority these lessons are dedicated 
by the author. 

MARY REDFIELD PLUMMER. 





Practical Lessons 
In Parliamentary Procedure 


Opening 

Meeting 

Quorum 


Call to Order 

Use'of the 
Gavel 

Minutes 


FIRST LESSON 


When the hour which was set tor the opening of 
the meeting has arrived, provided a quorum is 
present, the presiding officer calls the meeting to 
order and proceeds with “The Orders of the 
Day.” 

If no quorum has been fixed, either by resolu¬ 
tion, motion or by-law, a majority of the entire 
membership of an organization constitutes its 
quorum, and must be present before any business 
may be transacted by that organization. Because 
of the difficulty of securing so large a propor¬ 
tion of the membership, a fixed number is voted 
as a quorum. This number should be large 
enough to fix responsibility but not too large to 
make it difficult to secure at any meeting. 

The presiding officer, if the president, is addressed 
as Mr., Mrs. or Madam President. In calling 
the meeting to order the presiding officer rises 
and, using the gavel firmly once or twice, says: 
“The meeting will be in order.” If order is not 
immediately forthcoming, the officer uses the gavel 
vigorously until order is obtained. 

The gavel (a small wooden mallet) is used for 
the purpose of calling attention and enforcing 
order. 

When order is had, the Chair tpresiding officer) 
says: “We will now listen to the reading of the 
minutes of the last meeting”; and the recording¬ 
secretary rises from his place at the right of the 
table of the presiding officer, addresses the Chair 
and the “House” (Mr., Mrs. or Madam President 
and Members), and reads the minutes of the last 




6 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Correction of 
Minutes 


Introduction 
of Business 


similar meeting, unless by previous order of the 
House the minutes have been approved by the 
board of directors or a committee appointed 
for that purpose. 

When the minutes have been read, the Chair 
(standing) states: ‘‘You have heard the minutes. 
Are there any corrections? If not, they stand 
approved as read; (pause for corrections, and 
if none are made) the minutes are approved.” 

If corrections, additions, eliminations or changes 
are made, the Chair says: “Is there objection 
to making this change in the minutes? If not, 
and there are no other corrections, the minutes 
are approved as corrected.” 

If objection be made to the correction, the cor¬ 
rection may be made only upon motion, seconded 
and carried by majority vote. 

Business is brought before the organization 
either to get the “sense of the meeting,” (crystal- 
ize sentiment) or to bind to some course of 
action. 

It may be introduced by one of three methods: 

(1) By a communication which is read usually 
by the secretary. The Chair then asks what 
the assembly wishes to do with it. and if 
action is desired a motion embodying it must 
follow, and be seconded and voted upon. 

(2) Business may be introduced also by a reso¬ 
lution. The resolution must be in writing and 
usually embodies in a condensed form the 
reasons for the desired action as well as 
the statement of the action desired. The 
paragraphs of the debate are opened with 
the word “whereas” and the desired action 
is prefaced by the words “Be it resolved.” 
If action is to be taken on the resolution, 
however, after being presented to the House, 
it must be followed by the motion,—“That 
the resolution be adopted.” 

(3) By Motion. A motion is the simplest state¬ 
ment of the action desired to have the organ¬ 
ization take, preceded by the words “I move”. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


7 


Main Motion 


Recognition 


Second 


Statement 


Debate 


A Main Motion is made for the purpose of 
bringing a matter of business before the House 
upon which action is desired. One of the funda¬ 
mental rules of parliamentary procedure is that 
but one such motion may be before the House 
for action at one time. There may be a number 
of motions concerning this matter of business, 
but only one subject may be considered at a 
time. This subject is introduced by a communi¬ 
cation—followed by a motion—^by a resolution, 
followed by a motion; or by a main motion. 

In order to address the House on any subject, 
or to ask a question of the Chair, the member 
must rise and address the presiding officer, and 
wait for recognition. The presiding officer, either 
by a nod or by speaking the member’s name, 
indicates that he or she is the one who is selected 
to present the matter. This is called “giving 
recognition,” and a member should not proceed 
until he has been “given the floor” in this 
manner. 

A main motion should not be preceded by “de¬ 
bate,” the member stating his motion and resum¬ 
ing his seat at once, “yields the floor.” 

The motion must then be “seconded” by a mem¬ 
ber who also desires the matter acted upon. The 
member seconding a motion may or may not rise 
and receive recognition. “I second the motion” 
is the form of seconding. 

The Chair then “states” the motion: “It is 
moved and seconded that (repeating the words 
of the motion).” If the motion is long or com¬ 
plicated, or not in good form, the Chair may 
ask the members making the motion to “put the 
motion in writing and send to the desk.” The 
recording secretary may also make this request. 

Now, for the first time, the subject as given in 
the motion is open for debate (discussion). The 
maker of the motion has the first right to the 
floor in debate. He has also the right to close 
the discussion before taking the vote. All mem¬ 
bers have the right to speak once to the main 


8 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Vote 


motion, but may speak oftener if consent is given 
by the assembly. 

When debate has ceased, the Chair puts the- 
question to vote. There are five methods of vot¬ 
ing: (1) Unanimous Consent; (2) Viva voce (or 
aye and nay) ; (3) Division; (4) Ballot, and (5) 
Roll Call. 

(1) A vote may be taken by unanimous consent 
when it is evident that there is no desire to 
debate it and probably no division of senti¬ 
ment concerning it. The Chair then says: 
“If there is no objection, etc.” Opportunity 
must be given, however, for objection and 
if such objection is made, the vote must be 
taken by one of the other methods. There 
being no objection, the Chair declares the 
matter carried. 

(2) The viva voce vote is the one usually used. 
The Chair (rising) states: “All those Jn 
favor of the motion (stating it) will say 
‘aye’; those opposed ‘no’ ” ; and judging by the 
volume of sound declares the motion “carried” 
or “.lost” as the case may be. If the vote is 
at all close, he indicates to the House what 
his decision is to be before declaring it: 
“The motion seems to be carried (or lost)” 
and then, if there is no protest, decides the 
vote as above. 

(3) If the Chair is undecided as to whether the 
vote is carried or lost, or if a member ques¬ 
tions his decision, or in matters which re¬ 
quire a counted vote, a “divisional” vote is 
taken. Any method whereby a counted vote 
is taken comes under this head,—^by the mem¬ 
bers rising and standing until counted, by the 
raising of hands, counted, or by any otheir 
method. The vote must always be announced 
Dy numbers, and the result by numbers put 
into the minutes. If members desire a counted 
vote, it is granted upon the call of “Divi¬ 
sion,” or the Chair may call for a division. 


Effect 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 9 

(4) The 'ballot vote is a secret vote. While it is 
usually confined to elections, it may, if the 
House orders, be taken upon any question 
coming before it for a vote. It has several 
forms; by writing on a slip of paper the 
name of a candidate for whom the member 

. desires to vote; by putting a cross before the 

printed or written name of a candidate, or 
by depositing a white ball (the black ball in 
this case indicating a vote against the candi¬ 
date). It may also be used by writing “yes” 
or “no” on a slip and depositing it, as is the 
case in all ballot votes, in a receptacle in such 
‘ a manner as to insure secrecy of the nature 

of the vote cast. 

A ballot vote must be cast by the voter him¬ 
self or by another to whom he has given the 
power of attorney, in writing, then called a 
“proxy.” A proxy must state the kind of 
meeting at which it is to be used, the date, 
the name of the club, and the name of the 
person who is to cast the vote. It must be 
signed by the member giving the proxy. No 
other person except the one whose name ap¬ 
pears in the proxy may cast Jhe vote. 

“Instructing the Secretary to cast the ballot” 
is unparliamentary and should never be 
entertained. 

(5) The Roll Call is a vote recorded in the 
minutes. The Secretary calls the roll, and 
each member voting responds with “yes” or 
“no,” his vote being so recorded. The Roll 
Call is ordered by the House by unanimous 
consent or upon motion, seconded and carried 
by a majority vote. 

In all cases the Chair should declare the vote 
to be carried or lost. 

When a motion is carried or lost by any of 
the above methods, the subject is closed, and 
no debate, questions or remarks concerning 
it should be allowed by the Chair. If it is 


10 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


carried, it is binding upon the organization 
as long as it stands until reconsidered or 
rescinded. (See Lesson III.) 


RECAPITULATION 
Main Motion 

Object: To obtain the “sense” of the organization or to 
secure binding action. 

Form of Motion: The simplest statement of the action de¬ 
sired, preceded by the words, “I move.” 

Rank: May be moved only when there is no other business 
before the House. 

Debatable: Yes, fully. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Majority. 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


11 


SECOND LESSON 


When a motion is properly before the House (see first lesson) 
it may be debated and it may be perfected by means of amend¬ 
ments before being finally voted upon. 

A First Amendment is used to get the Main Motion in such 
form as to be acceptable to the majority of the House. 

Amendments to the Main Motion are of three kinds: 

(a) Adding something to the motion. 

(b) Striking something from the Main Motion. 

(c) Substituting 

(1) A word for a word which is in the Main Motion. 

(2) A phrase for a phrase in the Main Motion. 

(3) A sentence for a sentence which is in the Main 
Motion. 

(4) A whole and complete motion for the whole of the 
Main Mbtion. This last is known as a “Substitute 
Motion.” It is, however, an amendment and is treated 
as such. 

Amendments must be “germain” to the Main Motion,—that 
is, they must be on the same subject matter and sympathetic 
to it. In other words, they must seek to perfect the Main 
Motion. 

In order to present an amendment in the first degree, or a 
“First Amendment” as it is usually called, a member must, 
as in the case of a main motion, get recognition from the Chair 
and say: “I move to amend the motion by ^—(adding these 
words; striking out these words; or by substituting the follow¬ 
ing statement for .in the main motion).” If the matter 

is desired to take the place of the whole of the Main Motion, the 
member says: “I move to substitute the following (insert) for 
the motion before the House (insert).” 

Amendments need to be seconded and “stated” in the same 
manner as main motions. 

But one First Amendment must be before the House at one 
time. After this amendment has been voted upon and carried 
or lost another First Amendment may be offered. There miay 




12 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


be as many different amendments offered as desired, but each 
must be offered, seconded and voted upon before another can 
be considered. 

An Amendment when before the House may be debated so 
far as the subject matter of the amendmnt is concerned. The 
rest of the Main Motion is not open for discussion until after 
action has been taken on the amendment. 

If the First Amendment is not in shape desired, it may in 
turn be changed—perfected—before being voted upon. (See fol¬ 
lowing motion). 

When debate upon the First Amendment has ceased, and 
there are no amendments to it pending (proposed but not voted 
upon) the Chair puts the vote as follows: “As many as are 
in favor of this amendment (repeating the amendment if there 
has been much debate so that the text of it may be lost sight of) 
say ‘Aye’; opposed ‘No’; it is carried—or lost)”. 

If the First Amendment carries, the Chair says: “The ques¬ 
tion is now upon the Main Motion as amended (repeating it as 
it reads with the carried amendment).” Debate now follows if 
any desire, and then, unless other First Amendments are offered, 
the Chair puts the question to vote. 

A majority vote of those who choose to vote—a quorum 
being present—is required to carry an amendment and the 
motion as amended. 

In the case of a “substitute motion,” the Chair first puts 
the question: “As many as are in favor of substituting (giving 
the words in the substitute motion) for the main motion, say 
‘aye’; opposed ‘no’; it is carried (or lost),” and (if carried) the 
question is now upon the motion as amended (repeating the 
words of the motion just substituted). This ,may in turn 
be amended or have other motions (see later lessons) applied 
to it. Finally, he takes the vote upon this motion as amended. 
Remember the first vote is on substituting the second, motion, 
and the second vote is* on adopting. 


RECAPITULATION 
First Amendment 

Object: To perfect the Main Motion. 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 13 

Form: (a) To add to the motion. 

(b) To strike from the Main Motion. 

(c) To substitute (1) a word; (2) a phrase; (3) a 
sentence; (4) a complete motion. 

Rank: Is in order when there is a main motion or an 

amended motion before the House. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Debatable: Yes, limited to amendment. 

Vote: Majority. 

Effect if carried —changes main motion. 


SECOND AMENDMENT 

When the First Amendment is properly before the House, 
it is open to debate or for perfection by means of a “Second 
Amendment.” 

A Second Amendment must refer only to the First Amendment. 
If it refers to the Main Motion it should be ruled out as being 
an amendment in the first degree (first amendment), and must 
await its turn after the pending First Amendment is carried or 
lost. 

A Second Amendment may be made at any time after the 
First Amendment is made, seconded and stated by the Chair. 
It is made exactly as the Main Motion and'the First Amend¬ 
ment is made, and may 

(1) Add something to the First Amendment. 

(2) Strike something from the First Amendment. 

(3) Substitute: (a) a word. 

(b) a phrase. 

(c) a sentence. 

(d) a whole amendment for the First 
. Amendment. 

It may be debated so far as the merits of the Second Amend¬ 
ment and that part of the First Amendment which it seeks to 
change are concerned. The Main Motion is not now under 
discussion. 

As many Second Amendments may be offered as desired pro¬ 
vided they are germain to the First Amendment, and are^ con¬ 
sidered one by one, each being accepted by a vote or rejected 
before another is proposed. 



14i Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

A Second Amendment cannot be further amended—there can 
be no third amendment. 

After discussion ceases, a vote is first taken on the Second 
Amendment; if that is carried the vote is on the First Amend¬ 
ment as amended; if that is carried, on the motion as amended. 
If the Second Amendment is lost, the vote is taken on the First 
Amendment; if that is lost, on the original motion. A majority 
vote of those voting is required to carry. 


RECAPITULATION 
Second Amendment 

Object: To perfect the First Amendment. 

r .adding. 

Form:l move to amend the First Amendment by<^ striking out. 

t substitution. 

Rank: Is in order when a First Amendment is before the 
.'House. 

Debatable: Limited to Second Amendment. 

Amendable: No. 

Fote: Majority. 

.Effect if carried: Changes the First Amendment. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 14a 


TO RE-OPEN OR TO REPEAL ACTION ONCE TAKEN 

Action once taken upon a Main or other motion is binding 
unless and until such vote is reconsidered or rescinded. No 
new motion contrary to the spirit or letter of such action may 
be considered until the previous action has been cleared away 
by one of these motions. 

TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE 


Object 

If a member feels that the vote was a mistake, 
or that the matter was not given sufficient con¬ 
sideration, he may—if he voted on the side which 
prevailed—move to reconsider the vote. 

Rank 

This motion must be made when there is no other 
business before the House, and on the same day 
or the next succeeding day (twenty-four hours) 
to the one on which the action was taken which 
he now seeks to reopen. 

Notice 

If a member feels that the action was hasty and 
ill-considered, but is convinced that it will be 
futile to seek to reopen at that time, he may 
(provided he voted on the winning side) give 
notice that at the next meeting he will move to 
reconsider the vote. In giving such “notice” the 
member may interrupt any business before the 
House, and his “notice” is entered upon the 
Minutes. He may then at the next meeting bring 
it uo or not as he chooses, but no other m?,v. 
If the member giving notice does not make his 
motion to “reconsider” during the meeting, the 
former action stands. While the “notice” lives 
(is still standing), no action may be taken under 
the previously carried motion. 

Full 

Debate 

The motion to Reconsider the Vote opens the 
former motion to full consideration in debate; 
the motion may not be amended. 

Vote 

A maiority vote carries the reconsideration and 
the Chair states the motion as it stood before 
the final vote was taken noon it. This reonened 
motion is now open for debate, for amendment, 
commitment, postponement or other action. 


14b Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

If the motion desired to be reconsidered is an 
amendment to a motion which has been adopted 
or rejected, the main motion as amended must be 
reconsidered, and if this motion to reconsider 
is carried, such motion may be amended or the 
amendment rejected by vote, the vote then com¬ 
ing upon the “motion as amended,” If it is 
desired to reconsider an amendment, passed, to 
a motion which is still pending, the motion is to 
“reconsider the vote on the amendment.” If this 
motion prevails, the amendment is again before 
the House for debate and action. 

If the motion to “Reconsider” fails, it may not 
be again renewed. 

Votes on the following motions may not be re¬ 
considered: To Adjourn, Take a Recess, Lay 
on the Table, Take from the Table, Suspend the 
Rules or Order of Business, 

RECAPITULATION. 

Object: To enable the assembly to consider again a matter 
which has been closed by a vote. 

Form: I move to reconsider the vote upon (stating motion). 

Rank: (1) In order when there is no other business before 
the House, 

(2) Must be made by one who voted on the prevailing side. 

(3) Must be made on the same day, or the next succeeding 
day to the day on which action was taken. Notice of intention 
may be made on these days, such notice entered on the minutes, 
and completed at the next meeting under same conditions. 

Debatable: Yes, fully. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority of those voting. 

Effect if carried: To place the former motion again before 
the House for action. 


Amendment 

Reconsidered 


Not 

Renewable 

Votes 

May Not Be 
Reconsidered 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 15a 


TO 

Object 


Rank 

Exception 

Form 

Debate 

Vote 


RESCIND, REPEAL OR ANNUL 

If a member of an Assembly desires to wipe out 
action once taken by the House, or if he desires 
to materially change it and cannot do so by Re¬ 
consideration of Vote because of the expiration 
of the time limit, or because the motion to 
Reconsider has failed of passage, he may ac¬ 
complish his purpose by successfully applying 
the following motion: “I move to Rescind 
( Repeal or Annul) our action upon (identifying 
the motion).” 

Any member of the organization may make this 
motion whether he voted for or against the 
motion he now seeks to rescind. The motion 
may be made regardless of the time that has 
elapsed since the action was taken, provided, how¬ 
ever, no action has been taken under the motion 
thus passed which may not in honor be undone. 
An election may not be rescinded or reconsidered, 
nor may any action which is in the nature of a 
contract where the other party thereto has been 
notified of the action. 

The motion to Rescind may not be made if other 
business is pending, however, and when it has 
been seconded, the Chair states it as follows: 
“It is moved and seconded to rescind (repeal or 
annul) our action upon (identifying the motion).” 
The motion may be debated fully—opening the 
original question in all its phases. 

If this motion to Rescind Action is made on the 
same day the action, now sought to wipe out was 
taken, or if notice of intention to make this 
motion to Rescind Action is given, either in 
writing to each member or by announcement 
at previous meeting, a majority vote of those 
voting will wipe out the action and the result 
is as if it had never been taken except so far 
as the record in the Minutes is concerned, that 
remaining. If the motion to Rescind Action is 
made without’ notice, the vote required is a two- 
thirds vote of those voting. 


15b Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


When a matter has been Rescinded, a new motion 
upon the subject of the previous motion may 
be presented, embodying the desired change. 
Application The motion To Rescind Action is applicable to 
Main Motions only. 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To wipe out action once taken. 

Form: I move to Rescind (Repeal or Annul) action taken 
upon the following motion (stating it). 

Rank: (a) In order when there is no other motion before 
the House. 

(b) May be made by any member regardless of his vote on 
previous motion. 

(c) .May be made regardless of the time which has elapsed 
since motion was passed, provided no action has been taken 
under it. 

Debatable: Fully, opening the whole question to discussion. 
Amendable: No. 

Vote: 1. Majority of those voting; 

(a) When made on same day or next succeeding 
day. 

(b) When notice of intention is given. 

2. Two-thirds of those ‘i’oting without notice of inten¬ 
tion. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 15' 


THIRD LESSON 


DILATORY MOTIONS 

There are three ways to delay action upon busi¬ 
ness presented through a main motion, with or with¬ 
out amendments pending: 

1st: By referring to a committee. 

2nd: By postponing action upon it until a future, 
specified time. 

3rd: By laying the “matter” (the main motion and 
pending amendments, if any,) upon the table. 

If any one of these motions prevails, no further 
consideration of the matter may be had at any time 
by the House. 


TO REFER TO A COMMITTEE 

It is obvious that an organization must delegate the details 
of much of its business to smaller divisions of its membership,— 
to the board of directors, to standing committees or to commit¬ 
tees especially created to act on a specific case. The organiza¬ 
tion fixes policies, votes budgets for work which dt, after con¬ 
sideration, decides to undertake, but usually delegates the carry¬ 
ing out of these plans to committees. 

Object The object of the motion “to commit,” or, as it 

is sometimes called, “to refer” is to place the 
business which the organization has considered 
in the hands of a portion of its membership for 
further investigation, in order to carry out the 
details of the work, to gather information con¬ 
cerning it, and to report its recommendations con¬ 
cerning it to the organization. 

Classes , There are three kinds of committees: Special, 
Standing and the Committee of the Whole. 




16 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Special 

Committee 


Standing 

Committee 


Committee 
of the Whole 


Rank 


A Special Committee is one created for one 
special piece of work. When it has completed 
the work assigned to it, and reported its findings, 
the comihittee automatically dies without further 
action by the body itself. 

A Standing Committee is elected or appointed for 
a definite period of time—usually a year—to take 
care of a division of work, and all matters per¬ 
taining to that work go automatically to that 
committee. It reports progress from time to 
time as ordered, makes its final report at the 
end of the period for which it was elected or 
appointed and ceases to exist with such final re¬ 
port. Standing Committees usually are created 
to take care of the business of the organization, 
such as: Membership, House, Finance, Social, 
Legislative, etc. 

A Committee of the Whole is composed of the 
entire membership of the organization present, 
taking the committee form in order to be bound 
by the rules governing committees, for specific 
reasons which will be seen later. When the 
Committee of the Whole has reached a decision, 
it is dissolved as a committee and reconvened as 
the House, and hears and accepts the report 
of the Committee of the Whole. 

The motion to refer to any one of these com¬ 
mittees may be made when a main motion is be¬ 
fore the House, with or without amendments 
pending. It is the business which is referred and 
not a proposed change in the form of the state¬ 
ment of that business, therefore the motion to 
refer to a committee cannot be applied to an 
amendment only. The motion to refer to a com¬ 
mittee may not be made if there is any other 
motion pending than the main motion, with or 
without amendments. 

The motion to refer to a Special Committee,, be¬ 
ing of less importance than the other forms of 
committees, yields to either of the other motions 
on committees—Standing or the Committee of the 
Whole; and the Standing Committee yields in 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


17 


I 

r 


< 


« 


!; 




-turn to the Committee of the Whole if made 
while the motion to refer to Standing Committee 
is pending but unvoted upon. However, if the 
motion to refer to the Committee of the Whole 
fails to pass, the vote would recur to the Standing 
Committee, and if that, too, fails of passage, the 
vote would then be upon the reference to the 
Special Committee. 

The motion to refer to any one of these com¬ 
mittees may be debated if limited to the pending 
question—the advisability of placing in the hands 
of such committee, but does not open the merits 
of the main question or its amendments to dis¬ 
cussion. 

Amendments These motions to refer may be amended in the 
same manner as a main motion—by adding to the 
motion to refer, by striking words from it or by 
substituting words for words which compose the 
motion to refer. These amendments are subject 
to the same laws as amendments to the main mo¬ 
tion. The first amendment may be amended in 
the same manner. The votes on these amend¬ 
ments are taken in the same order, and the vote 
on the motion to commit, as amended, finally 
taken. 


Debatable 

(Limited) 


Vote When discussion has ceased, provided no motion 

is presented of higher rank, the vote is taken on 
the motion to refer (or commit) and a majority 
vote carries. The effect, if the motion prevails, 
is to take the consideration of the main question 
(and pending amendments) away from the House 
and place it in the hands of the committee. The 
House does not again consider it until it is re¬ 
turned by the committee in its report. 


Appointment The right to appoint committees lies with the 
of House unless it has delegated such power in its 

Committees by-laws or by resolution or motion to the presi- 
and Chairman dent or to the board of directors. 

If no member of the committee appointed is 
named as chairman, the first one named acts as 
the temporary chairman only. If the president 
’ is given the power to appoint the committee, the 


18 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Notification 

and 

Instruction 


Organization 

of 

Committee 


personnel of the committee should be announced 
at the same session which has referred the mat¬ 
ter, unless the House gives permission to delay 
the appointment. 

The “notification and instruction” of committees 
should always be in writing by the secretary upon 
whom the organization has laid this duty. Inas¬ 
much as the minutes must furnish the informa¬ 
tion which ’ must be sent the chairman, many 
organizations provide in their by-laws that “the 
recording secretary shall notify and instruct all 
committees.” The chairman of the committee is 
sent this notification whether or not he was 
present at the meeting where the action was taken. 
This notification should contain the following 
matter: 

1st: The date of the meeting when the action 
was taken. 

2nd: The exact wording of the motion or motions 
containing the matter referred. 

3rd: The exact wording of the motion or motions 
which contained instructions as to proced¬ 
ure, time of report, etc. 

4th: The names of members of committee and 
their addresses. 

When the chairman has received this letter of 
notification and instruction, he should call, per¬ 
sonally, each member of the committee to a meet¬ 
ing, giving time enough so that the members 
may arrange their engagements accordingly. 

At the specified time, if there is a quorum of the 
committee present, the chairman proceeds to “or¬ 
ganize” the committee. A quorum of a commit¬ 
tee is always a majority of that committee unless 
the House has fixed, by vote, a smaller number 
for a quorum. 

The first business is to secure a permanent chair¬ 
man (if there was none named in appointment). 
This is done upon motion, seconded and carried 
by a majority, the temporary chairman presiding. 
The next procedure is the appointment or election 
of a clerk. The clerk performs the same service 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 19 


Rules for 

Committees 

) 


for the committee as the recording secretary for 
the House. The clerk then reads the letter of 
appointment and instruction sent by the secretary 
of the House to the chairman, and the commit¬ 
tee is ready for business. 

The rules which govern a committee differ 
materially from those prevailing in the House. 
They are as follows: 

1st: Full, free, unlimited discussion. No mo¬ 
tion may be made in a committee which 
is in itself undebatable or which has for 
its object the limiting or closing of debate. 
Members may speak as many times as they 
secure recognition from the chair. 

They may speak to any phase of the sub¬ 
ject regardless of the “pending question.” 
The chairman has the same rights in de¬ 
bate as any member. 

2nd: No person who is not a member of the 
committee may be present during the dis¬ 
cussion or vote upon the matter under con¬ 
sideration. Outsiders may be called in 
for consultation but must withdraw before 
a vote is taken. 

3rd: The minutes of a committee belong to the 
committee. The House may not demand 
the minutes be submitted, since it is the 
result and not the method by which it was 
secured which is the business of the organ¬ 
ization. 

4th: Committees may not exceed the authority 
given by the House in letter of instruction. 
The committee may not: 

(a) Amend the matter referred. 

(b) Refer it to another body or committee. 

(c) Postpone beyond the time specified in 
letter of instruction. 

(d) Postpone indefinitely, lay on the table, 
or dispose in any manner other than 
directed. 

(e) Cut off debate. 


20 ' Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

5th : A committee may : 

(a) Divide its work among sub-committees 
in its own membership. 

(b) Vote to report favorably upon matter 
referred or any part thereof. 

(c) Vote to report adversely upon matter 
referred or any part thereof. 

(d) Recommend to the House any course 
of action upon matter referred. 

(e) Amend any motion arising in its own 
committee., 

(f) Amend any such amendment. 

(g) Move to report progress and ask for 
leave to sit again. 

(h) Move to reconsider a vote providing 

' this motion is made by one who voted 

on the winning side and all members 
who voted on that side are present or 
have received notice of intention to 
move reconsideration at that meeting. 

(i) To rise (equivalent to adjournment 
sine die). 

Report of A quorum of the committee is necessary at least 

Committees at first meeting and at the meeting where the final 

report is submitted in its entirety. The report 
of the committee must be assented to by a major¬ 
ity of the committee. It then becomes “the re¬ 
port of the committee.” Such report is presented 
• to the House by the chairman or, in his absence, 
by the member selected by the committee for that 
service. After reading the report to the House, 
the chairman (or some member of the committee 
or the House) moves that it be accepted, or that 
it be adopted, or that it be approved. If the re¬ 
port contains facts only the form should be “ac¬ 
cept if the report is upon action ordered by the 
House, the term “approve” is used, but if the re¬ 
port contains recommendations, the term should 
be “adopt.” 

When the motion is seconded and stated by the 
Chair, the report is before the House for dis- 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


21 


Minority 

Report 


Power 
to Act 


cussion; and, if it contains recommendations these 
may be amended as any main motion may be 
amended. The report of a committee may be 
sent back (re-committed) to the committee for 
further consideration, with or without further in¬ 
structions ; the consideration of it may be post¬ 
poned until some future time which is specified 
in the motion; or the report may be laid upon 
the table. If the report of the committee is 
favorably acted upon, either by accepting, approv¬ 
ing or adopting it, it becomes the action of the 
House and the committee is discharged. 

If there are those, on the committee who dissent 
from the findings of the committee, such members 
may if they desire present a Minority Report, 
This report may give the reasons for their dis¬ 
sent merely, or it may present recommendations 
to the House which they desire to have adopted 
in the place of the recommendations or advice 
of the committee. 

The report of,the minority is presented by one 
of those dissenting in the /following manner. 
After the chairman has given the report of the 
committee and the motion has been made, 
seconded and stated to accept, approve or adopt 
and discussion is in order, the spokesman for the 
minority asks permission to present the Report 
of the Minority. The Chair asks if there is any 
objection (which is rarely offered) and the 
Minority Report is then given. If action is de¬ 
sired upon substituting it for the report of the 
committee, a motion to that effect must be made, 
seconded and stated. Action upon this is similar 
to action upon a Substitute Motion to a Main 
Motion. If the motion to substitute is carried, 
the vote is then taken upon the report of the 
committee as amended. 

The motion to Refer to a Committee may incor¬ 
porate the statement, “with power to act,” in 
which case the House is bound by any action 
which the committee may see fit to take. 


22 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Reports 
Written and 
Incorporated 
in Minutes 


Reports of committees should be in writing but 
may be in brief, not containing the explanations 
and arguments, merely the findings of the com¬ 
mittee. This may be amplified in discussion, but 
the substance of the report should be given to 
the secretary and incorporated in the minutes, 
and not merely “placed on file” which means a 
grave in the waste basket sooner or later. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To delay action upon a matter until it has been 
considered by a few, duly appointed, when it is to be reported 
back, together with the facts gathered, or with recommendations. 

Form: “I move the matter be referred to a committee,” etc., 
or “I move the matter be referred to the (naming a Standing 
Committee)” or “I move we go into a Committee of the Whole for 
the purpose of considering the matter.” 

Rank: In order when a Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments, is pending, or when Indefinite Postponement is before 
the House. May also have the rank of a Main Motion when a 
matter has already been passed and it is desired to have a 
committee carry out the details. 

Debatable: Yes, if limited to commitment. 

Amendable: Yes, in same manner as main motion. 

Vote: Majority. 


! 







Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 23 


FOURTH LESSON 


COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 


A Committee of the Whole is the assembly resolved into a 
committee for the purpose of discussing freely, informally and 
without record, a question which requires careful consideration, 
and without danger of being indefinitely postponed, laid on the 
table or the debate cut off prematurely. 


Organization 

of 

Committee 


Kules 

Governing 


Minutes 


When the House has voted “to go into a Com¬ 
mittee of the Whole,” the procedure is as follows: 
The president appoints the chairman of the com¬ 
mittee who immediately takes the chair, the presi¬ 
dent sitting in the body of the House. The chair¬ 
man of the committee either appoints, by unani¬ 
mous consent, the clerk or asks for a motion 
naming him which should be seconded and car¬ 
ried. The committee is then considered organized, 
and the matter referred to the committee is read 
by the clerk and the chair declares the matter 
open for discussion. 

All rules applying to committees apply to the 
Committee of the Whole. The discussion is un¬ 
limited either as to time each member may speak 
or the number of times he may speak to the same 
question or any phase of it. The Chair should, 
however, endeavor to “recognize” members with 
due consideration as to the rights of all to be 
heard, and that all sides of the question under 
discussion may be presented. 

The clerk keeps the record of motions, points 
of order, parliamentary inquiries and the votes 
taken, and from this record the final report is 
made. The minutes are then destroyed. They 
are never incorporated in the minutes of the 
organization itself. 

Some time is usually taken in discussing the 
situation fully before any motion is made looking 
to crystalizing the opinion of the committee. 



24 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Dissolve 

Committee 


Report'to 
House 


Record in 
Minutes of 
House 


How to 
Limit Debate 


Such motion, when made, seconded and stated, 
may be amended, referred to a sub-committee, 
postponed for a time which lies within the limit 
of the committee’s life, or laid upon the table, 
but the matter submitted to the committee is not 
subject to any of these motions. 

The vote by roll call, may not be ordered in a 
committee of the whole. 

When a decision has been reached through a 
majority vote of the committee, a motion to “rise’’ 
is in order, and upon being seconded and carried 
by a majority vote, the committee is dissolved. 
The Chairman now retires to his place in the 
House, the president taking the chair. The clerk 
likewise retires and the recording secretary takes 
his place at the desk. 

The president now calls for the report of the 
Committee of the Whole and the chairman rises 
and says: “The Committee of the Whole to 
which was referred the matter (stating it exactly) 
reports, (and here follows the exact wording of 
the final motion made in the Committee of the 
Whole).” The chairman then “moves the adop¬ 
tion of the report.” This, being seconded, is 
voted upon by the assembly. Obviously this 
motion is always carried, since the voters are 
the same who voted for it in the Committee of 
the Whole. 

The recording secretary, then, has upon the 
minutes of the organization the motion embody¬ 
ing the matter referred, the motion that it was 
so referred, the appointment of the chairman of 
the committee by the president. No further mat¬ 
ter is recorded by the recording secretary until, 
the president asks for the report of the com¬ 
mittee when the matter reported is recorded in 
the minutes, etc. 

While it is true that the Committee of the Whole 
may not limit debate nor fix a time limit for the 
debate of each member, the House may do so 
by instructing the committee to this effect before 
the commitment. The committee is then bound 
by this order. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 25 


RECAPITULATION 
To Go Into a Committee of the Whole 

Object: (a) To secure full, free, unlimited discussion of a 
matter without danger of being indefinitely postponed, definitely 
postponed, laid upon the table, or of having the discussion limited 
in any way or amended, (b) To exclude outsiders (guests, 
reporters, etc.) (c) To exclude from the minutes of the organ¬ 
ization matters of delicacy. 

Form: “I move that we go into a Committee of the Whole 
for the purpose of discussing this matter.” 

Rank: In order when a‘ Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments is pending; also when a motion for either a 'Special or a 
Standing Committee is pending—one or both. 

Debatable: Yes, limited to the motion to commit. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Majority. 


26 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


FIFTH LESSON 

TO POSTPONE ACTION TO A DEFINITE TIME 
Rank When a “main” motion is before the House 


Object 

(moved, seconded and stated), action upon it may 
be deferred until another time if the majority 
desire. Action upon the Main Motion and adher¬ 
ing amendments, if any, may also be so deferred, 
and even when one or all of the motions looking 
to the referring of the “matter” to a committee 
are “pending” (moved, seconded, stated but not 
yet voted upon), this motion “To postpone until 
(stating the time)” may be made; and if so 
moved, seconded, stated and carried, removes 
from the consideration of the organization the 
“matter” until the time arrives to which it was 
postponed. 

This motion is made for the purpose of putting 
off action because of lack of time for proper con¬ 
sideration, for a larger attendance of members, 
for the opportunity to members to think over 
the matter or inform themselves upon it, or for 
other obvious reasons. 

Form of 
Motion 

A member rises, receives “recognition” from the 
Chair, and moves “That the matter be postponed 
until (stated time)”. After being seconded and 
stated by the Chair, the discussion is limited to 
the advisability of so postponing it,—debate upon 
the main motion, amendments or motion to com¬ 
mit (if any are before the House) not being 
in order. We call this “limited debate,” being 
limited to the “pending” question only. 

Amendments 

If the time mentioned in the motion is not deemed 
suitable or desirable, a member may move to 
amend the motion in exactly the same manner 
as an amendment to a main motion is made, or 
an amendment to the motion “to Commit.” The 
same rules which govern these amendments govern 
all amendments to any motion. 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 27 


Vote 


Special 

Order 


Limit of 
Time of 
Postpone¬ 
ment 


If the time specified in the action “To postpone 
Definitely” is to a “day” but not any specific hour 
of that day, the vote required to carry is but a 
majority, but if an hour is named, the matter 
so postponed becomes a “special order” and re¬ 
quires a two-thirds vote to carry. 

A “Special Order” if made in this manner requires 
that this matter must be brought up at the hour 
specified, all business—either parliamentary or 
in the nature of an address or program—being 
set aside for the “matter” set by the special order 
for that time. It may then, however, be further 
postponed by majority vote. 

“Matter” may not be postponed to a later date 
than the next similar meeting, and this meeting 
must occur within three months of the one at 
which the matter was postponed. 

When the time arrives to which the matter is 
postponed, if it is desired by the House, it may 
be still further postponed, but not later than the 
next similar meeting. In this manner it may 
be “kept alive” for some time. If matter is 
postponed and is not taken up at time specified, 
and either disposed of or further postponed, it 
“dies” and may not again be taken up except as 
“new” matter,'—that is, presented as a motion 
under “new business.” 


RECAPITULATION 
Definite Postponement 

Object: To delay action upon a matter until some definite, 
future time when it comes up as “unfinished business.” 

Form: “I move that the matter be postponed until—(stating 
the time). 

Rank: In order when a Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments, is pending; also in order if a motion to Refer to a Com¬ 
mittee, with or without amendments, is before the House. 

Debatable: Yes, limited debate. - 

Amendable: Yes. 



28 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Vote: Majority if to a day; two-thirds vote if to an hour 
specified of a day. 

Effect: If carried is to remove from consideration in the 
House until the time specified in the motion. 


TO LAY THE MATTER UPON THE TABLE. 


Object 


When 

Wrongly 

Applied 


Rank. 


It is sometimes necessary to put aside business 
already before the House in order to take up 
something of more pressing importance at that 
time. This may be accomplished by applying, suc¬ 
cessfully, the motion to Lay the Matter upon the 
Table. Business thus tabled may be resumed by a 
motion to take it from the table which, if prevail¬ 
ing, will bring the business again before the House 
in the same condition as before being tabled. 

It is, however, often used as a motion to “kill” 
the business without a direct vote upon it and 
without intention of taking it up again. If not 
taken from the table during the session at which 
It was tabled, or the next similar session, it “dies” 
and cannot be again considered unless brought in 
as “new” matter,—that is, proposed as a main 
motion without reference to its having been con¬ 
sidered before. 

The motion To Lay the Matter upon the Table 
may be applied to the Main Motion with or with¬ 
out amendments pending, even if there is at the 
time the motions to Refer to a Committee or a 
motion to Postpone to a Definite Time. It is the 
“matter” which is laid upon the table and if the 
motion prevails it carries with it all motions 
which have been applied to the main motion. 
An amendment or any of the motions applied 
to a Main Motion may not be tabled by them¬ 
selves,—it applies to the Main Motion and thiis 
carries with it these subsidiary motions. It may 
also be applied to Questions of Personal or Genj- 
eral Privilege (see Lesson 7) to an Appeal from 
the Decision of the Chair (see Lesson 8) to the 
motion To Reconsider (see Lesson 2), To Post¬ 
pone Indefinitely .(see Lesson 6^ T^o Ratify, To 
Reconsider the Vote and To Rescind Action (see 
i^esson 2 ). 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 29 


Vote The motion To Lay upon the Table requires a 

majority only of those voting. 

Not Inasmuch as the object of this motion is to enable 

Debatable the House to lay aside, the business then before 
the House instantly, the motion is not debatable. 
It is not amendable. If carried, the matter drops 
out out of sight until such time as it may be taken 
from the table by vote of the Assembly.. 


RECAPITULATION 
To Lay Upon The Table 

Object: To enable the House to put aside a matter instantly 
with the possibility of taking it up again later. Through usage, 
to “kill” the matter before the House by laying aside with the 
intention never to take up again. 

Form: ‘T move the matter be laid upon the table.” 

Rank: In order when a Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments, with or without the motion to Refer to Committee or 
Postpone to a Definite Time pending, also when the motions To 
Reconsider, To Ratify, To Rescind Action, Appeal from Decision 
of the Chair, Privileged Motions or Indefinite Postponement arc 
before the House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Major it}'. 

Effect: If carried is to suppress for the time being the mo¬ 
tion to which it is applied. 



30 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


SIXTH LESSON 
Declinatory Motions 

When business is presented to an organization in 
the form of a motion, a resolution or a communication, 
it is sometimes desired to suppress it without allowing 
a direct vote upon the merits of the question itself. 
This may be done by successfully applying one of the 
following- motions: 

(1) Objection to the Consideration of the Question. 

(2) Indefinite Postponement. 


(1) OBJECTION TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE 
QUESTION 


Object 


Rank 


Chair May 
Raise Ques¬ 
tion of 
Consideration 


The purpose of the Objection is not only to de¬ 
feat favorable action upon a matter of business 
presented, but to prevent also its consideration 
by means of discussion or by means of amend¬ 
ments, commitment, postponement, or other 
methods of disposition. 

In the light of the above object, it is obvious that 
the Objection must be made before any discus¬ 
sion or other motion is proposed, and therefore 
the Objection, because of the necessity for haste, 
is relieved of the usual formalities of presenta¬ 
tion. It must be made immediately after the sub¬ 
ject is presented and therefore the member object¬ 
ing does not need to get recognition from the 
'Chair in order to enter his objection. The main 
motion or resolution may even be objected to be¬ 
fore it is seconded and stated. 

The Objection to Consideration does not need to 
be seconded. In fact, the Chair himself may 
present the question of consideration without its 
being made from the floor. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary PROCEbtJRE 31 


Form If made by a member he says: “Mr. (or Madam) 

Chairman, I object to the Consideration of this 
Question.” The Chair, without waiting for a 
second, says: “An objection has been made to 
the consideration of this question. Shall the 
question be considered?” 


Undebatable The vote is taken immediately, without debate 
Rank or permitting any other motion (except the mo¬ 

tions to Lay Upon the Table, To Take a Recess, 
Question of Privilege, the Motion to Adjourn and 
the motion to Fix Time and Place to which to 
Adjourn (when necessary). 

Two-thirds To sustain the Objection, a two-third vote is re- 
Negative Vote quired, therefore the Chair takes a divisional 
to Suppress (counted) vote upon it, stating the affirmative 
first,—“All in favor of considering this question, 

rise; those opposed to consideration, rise; - 

for, -— against; the motion is carried (if 

more than one-third of the whole vote is affirma¬ 
tive) and the question will be considered.” Or: 
“The motion is lost (if two-thirds or more of the 
vote is negative) and the question will not be 
considered.” It takes a two-thirds or more 
negative vote to keep out of consideration. 

Chair May If the Chair “raises the question of considera- 
Raise Ques- tion” he should say (immediately after stating 
tion of the main motion) : “Shall this question be con- 

Consideration sidered; all in favor of considering the ques¬ 
tion rise, etc.” 

Effect The effect of losing is to “kill” the business thuj» 

objected to, without one word of debate. It may 
not then be brought up again during that session 
and if presented at a later session must come in 
as “new business,” as if never presented before. 
The effect of “carrying” (by more than one-third 
the vote) is to open the question to discussion 
and further action if desired. It does not carry 
the original motion but relieves it from “objec¬ 
tion” only. 

This could be successfully applied only where 
the business presented was obviously objection- 



32 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


able and dangerous to interests of the organiza¬ 
tion even to have discussed in open meeting. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: “To “kill” a motion, resolution or communication 
without debate. 

Form: I object to the consideration of this question. 

Rank: Must be made, if at all, immediately after the busi¬ 
ness is presented, before debate or any other motion is applied. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Two-thirds vote (negative) denies consideration and 
the business is “killed.” 


Object 


Rank 


Debate 

Vote 


(2) INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT 

When a main motion has been made, seconded 
and stated, and is ready for discussion or for 
amendment, etc., it is sometimes desirable to apply 
a “test” vote before risking all upon the die of a 
final vote: or, the opposition to the matter be¬ 
fore the House may have “exhausted its right to 
debate” (all having spoken once to the main mo¬ 
tion) and desire to present further argument. If 
the motion to “Indefinitely Postpone the Matter” 
is made, therefore, each member.’s right to debate 
is renewed, since this motion opens again the 
whole matter to debate. 

This motion to Indefinitely Postpone must be ap¬ 
plied when but one motion is before the House, 
although the original motion may have been 
amended and other motions unsuccessfully ap¬ 
plied (^such as To Refer to a Committee, To 
Postpone to Definite Time, or To Lay upon the 
Table, etc.). 

This motion is- for the purpose of “suppressing” 
the business presented without taking a direct 
vote upon it, and should be used for this object 
rather than the motion “To Lay the Matter upon 
the Table.” It permits the whole matter to be 
discussed and requires but a majority vote to 








Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 33 


carry. If carried, the business is “killed” for that 
session, and if it is desired to bring it again be¬ 
fore the House, it must be at another session. 
However, if carried, a motion to reconsider the 
vote upon it may be made (see Lesson H) but not 
if lost. The motion may not be renewed if lost. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To reject the main motion without incurring the risk 
of a direct vote upon it. 

Form: “I move the matter be indefinitely postponed.” 

Rank: In order when there is but one motion before the 
House. 

Debatable: Yes, fully—opens the main motion to debate. 
Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 

Effect if carrird' To suppress the main motion for the ses¬ 
sion. 




34 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


SEVENTH LESSON 


PRIVILEGED MOTIONS 

Privileged Motions are such as may for the time being set 
aside the business before the House, because of some pressing 
urgency, receive attention, and, when settled (except the affirma¬ 
tive vote on To Adjourn), the regular business is resumed at 
the point at which it was set aside for the favored motion. 


Privileged Motions bear the same relation to the pending 
business that a “special” would bear to the regularly scheduled 
train. The latter is “sidetracked” to enable the “special” to have 
the right of way temporarily, the “regular” being switched to the 
main track again when the “special” has passed on. 

Heretofore in the lessons we have had to do with “Main” 
motions and motions which contemplated doing something with 
that main motion,—amending “it,”—“it” being the main motion; 
referring “it” to a committee,—“it” being the main motion; post¬ 
poning “it” to a day named,—“it” being the main motion; lay¬ 
ing “it” on the table; also indefinitely postponing “it” and object¬ 
ing to the consideration of “it,” rescinding the action on “it” and 
reconsidering the vote upon “it”. The Privileged Motions have 
nothing to do with “it,” but because of a pressing necessity set 
“it” aside until the important matters are decided. 

These “Privileged” motions are: 

A Call for the Orders of the Day. 

Questions of Personal and General Privilege. 

To take a Recess. 

To Adjourn. 

To Fix the Time and Place to which to Adjourn (when 

necessary). 


CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY 

Object The object of this motion is to enable the House, 

if it desires, to proceed to the regularly planned 
program for that day. 







Form 


Vote 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 35 

The “Orders of the Day” would be the order of 
business, as fixed by the rules, filled out by in¬ 
serting in the proper places the committees re¬ 
porting, the business unfinished at the time of 
adjournment, the business which had been by 
vote postponed until this date, and any “special 
orders” made for that day. (See Lesson V., first 
page, bottom line). 

It sometimes occurs that the organization takes 
up some new business out of its order, or allows 
a digression in the way of an address or request 
to intervene. It is the duty of the Chair to see 
that the “Orders of the Day” are followed unless 
the House by a vote sets it aside. If the Chair, 
however, neglects or refuses to hold to the pro¬ 
gram, a member may by use of this motion recall 
the House to its regular schedule. The pro¬ 
cedure is as follows: 

If no other “privileged” motion is at that time 
before the House, the member may rise and say: 
“Madam President (or Mr. President), I call for 
the orders of the day.” The member does not 
need to wait for “recognition;” he may interrupt 
a speaker or any business. His “call” does not 
need to be seconded. The Chair ' should im¬ 
mediately, without allowing debate, say: “A call 
has come for the orders of the day. Shall we 
proceed to the orders of the day? All in favor 
rise (a counted vote is necessary) ; those opposed 

rise; —<—for, -against. The motion is carried 

and we will proceed to the orders of the day” or 
“the motion is lost and we will proceed with the 
business before the House.” It requires a two- 
thirds vote (of those who vote upon the ques¬ 
tion) to “lose” the “Call.” In other words, one- 
third or more may compel the House to keep to 
its regular program. If, however, the House votes 
(by two-thirds or more) to go on with the matter 
taken up out of its order, it will do so. When 
that business is concluded the House returns to 
its “orders of the day,”—its regular program. The 
“Call” is neither debatable nor amendable. 


36 Practical Lkssons in Parliamentary Procedure 

At a convention when the program is presented 
and voted upon by the convention affirmatively, it 
becomes the Orders of the Day and may be 
changed only by a two-thirds vote (of those vot¬ 
ing). 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To enable the House to proceed with the established 
program, the General Orders or the Special Orders which are 
set for this day and hour. 

Form: ‘T call for the orders of the day.” 

Rank: Takes precedence of all motions except To Recon¬ 
sider, Questions of Privilege, To Adjourn, and To Fix the Time 
and Place to which to Adjourn (when privileged). Does not 
require a second and is in order when a member has the floor. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: One-third of those voting. 

A QUESTION OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE 
Form When a member desires to bring before the or¬ 

ganization a matter which affects his rights or 
privileges as such member, and which cannot be 
presented under the ordinary business rules, he 
rises and says: “Mr. (or Madam) President, I 
rise to a question of personal privilege.” The 
Chair responds: “State your question.” The 
member then states the matter which he desires 
to present, and if the Chair considers it of real 
importance, such as justifies the setting aside of 
the business then under consideration, he (the 
Chair) may state: “The member has the floor” 
which allows the member to present his mat¬ 
ter, or may refer the matter to the House, say¬ 
ing: “If there is no objection the member may 
present his statement.” If the Chair, however, 
considers that the question of privilege is not an 
important one, he says: “The Chair does not 
deem the question one of privilege,” which re¬ 
fuses the favor. The member may appeal from 
this decision of the Chair, or another member 
may move “that the member be allowed the priv- 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 37 


ilege of the floor.” If this motion be seconded and 
carried by a majority vote, the member may then 
address the House as desired. 


A QUESTION OF GENERAL PRIVILEGE 

The difiference between a question of General and 
Personal Privilege lies in the subject of the mat¬ 
ter being personal to the speaker or of general 
interest. If the speaker cannot be heard and the 
member desires to call attention to this fact he 
“rises to a question of General Privilege.” This 
action is of higher rank than that of the per¬ 
sonal privilege as the rights or privileges of all 
are more important than those of the individual 
member. A question of General Privilege, there¬ 
fore, takes precedence over that of Personal 
Privilege. With this exception, the remarks on 
the latter apply to the former. 

Rank Neither of these motions may be entertained when 

the following motions are before the House: To 
take a Recess; to Adjourn, and To Fix the 
Time and Place to which to Adjourn (when 
necessary). 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To secure permissiorf as a favor to do that which 
could not be claimed as a parliamentary right. 

Form: Questions of Privilege are of two kinds: Personal 
and General. “I rise to a question of personal (or general) priv- 
lege,” the latter being higher in rank. (Chair) “State your 
question.” Member responds by indicating what it is he desires 
to do. The Chair rules as to whether or not it is a Question of 
Privilege, or he may ask unanimous consent of the House. 

Rank: May be presented at any time (except when other 
privileged motions are pending) ; is granted only upon the con¬ 
sent of the Chair or the House. 

Debatable: Yes, if it reaches the form of a motion, not other¬ 
wise. 

Amendable: Yes, if it reaches the form of a motion, not 
otherwise. 

Vote: Majority, if it reaches the form of motion. 




38 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

TO TAKE A RECESS 

The object of this motion is to dissolve tem¬ 
porarily the assembly for a given period of time. 
In legislative bodies a “recess” may be of days 
or weeks, but does not break the “session.” In 
most “deliberative” bodies, however, a recess is 
taken for hours or minutes only. 

If this motion is presented when there is no other 
business before the House, it is not a “privileged” 
motion but a “main” motion, and may be amended, 
the amendments may be debated, and a majority 
vote is sufficient to carry. If, however, business 
is already before the House, a motion and sub¬ 
sidiaries pending, this motion, if made, must come 
as a “privileged” motion. As such it sets aside 
temporarily the business and is treated in a similar 
manner to a main motion EXCEPT that it may 
not now be debated nor its amendments, if any. 
It may be presented at any time EXCEPT when 
the motions to Adjourn and to Fix Time and 
Place to which to Adjourn are pending. If the 
motion is carried, when the time arrives stated 
in the motion to take a recess, the Chair states 
that the assembly is • dissolved to convene 

at - (stating the time). When the time so 

set has arrived the Chair calls the House to 
order and takes up the business at the stage in¬ 
terrupted by the temporary dissolution. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To dissolve the assembly temporarily, convening 
again at the specified time which should be the same day. 

Form: “I move to take a recess of (stating length of time).” 

Rank: In order at any time except when to Adjourn, or to 
Fix the Time and Place to which to Adjourn (when necessary) 
are pending. 

Debatable: Yes, if a main motion. If a privileged motion 
it is undebatable. 

Amendable: Yes, as a main motion is amendable, but if the 
motion is undebatable, the amendments are also undebatable. 

Vote: Majority. 


Object 


As a Main 
Motion 


As a 

Privileged 

Motion 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 39 


TO ADJOURN 

Object The motion “To Adjourn" has for its object the 

dissolution of the session. Prevailing, no busi¬ 
ness may be transacted by the organization until 
the next regular meeting or until a special meet¬ 
ing is called in accordance with the by-laws. 

If Quorum If a quorum cannot be secured, the only motions 
is not Present which may be made are the motions “To Ad¬ 
journ" and “To Fix the Time and Place to which 
to Adjourn." 

If a quorum is “lost" during a meeting and at¬ 
tention is not called to the fact, all business 
transacted stands. However, if the quorum is 
questioned and by count it is ascertained that a 
quorum is not present, the only motions that may 
be made are the above. 

Rank It is sometimes said that the motion To Adjourn 

is always in order. It is with the following 
exceptions: when a member has the floor, and 
when the House is in process of taking the 
vote. After a ballot vote has been cast, but not 
counted, the motion may be entertained. 

Unamendable When To Adjourn is a privileged motion (when 
Undebatable other business is pending), this motion may 
Vote neither be amended nor debated. It requires but 

. a majority vote to carry. 

While this motion is not debatable, it is within 
the right of the Chair to make an explanation or 
announcement while it is pending, if in his judg¬ 
ment it is important to the assembly. 

If this motion prevails in an assembly where it 
does not close the session (an adjourned meet¬ 
ing having been provided for), when the House 
• reconvenes business is resumed where inter¬ 

rupted. If the adjournment closes the session, 
business not completed is taken up at the next 
session as unfinished business. 

An adjournment “sine die" (without day) closes 
the session, and if there is no time set in the 
by-Jaws or rules for reconvening, the organiza¬ 
tion is permanently dissolved. 


40 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To dissolve the assembly until the next regular 

meeting or until a special meeting is called according to the 
By-laws or the accepted parliamentary authority. 

Form: ‘T move we adjourn.” 

Rank: May be moved at any time except when a member 
has the floor or during the taking or verification of a vote or 
when the motion To Fix the Time and Place to which to Ad¬ 
journ (made necessary by the impending dissolution of the 
organization or the annual meeting) is pending. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 


TO FIX THE TIME AND PLACE TO WHICH 
TO ADJOURN 


Object 


As a Main 
Motion 


As a 

Privileged 

Motion 


Form 


The object of this motion is to provide for an ad¬ 
journed meeting of the one at which this motion 
is made. Prevailing, it builds a bridge from the 
meeting to the one provided for in the motion, 
making the two meetings one and the same, and 
anything which may legally be done at the first 
may be legally done at the second. 

If this motion is made when there is no business 
before the House, it is a “main” motion only, and 
treated as such, may be amended and de¬ 
bated. If it comes, however, when other mo¬ 
tions are being considered, and if the Chair 
deems that it is necessary, it is allowed as a 
privileged motion and may not be debated 
(neither amendments nor the motion itself). It 
may be a motion of the very highest privilege— 
allowed after the motion To Adjourn has been 
moved, seconded, carried—but not announced by 
the Chair—if it is necessary to “save the life” of 
a mass meeting or of an annual meeting by pro¬ 
viding for an adjourned meeting. 

The form of the motion is: “I move that when 
we adjourn we adjourn to meet (stating time and 
place). 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 41 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To provide for an adjourned meeting of the one 
at that time in session. 

Form: “I move that when we adjourn we adjourn to meet,” 

etc. 

Rank: Lowest; in order when there is no other matter be¬ 
fore the house EXCEPT WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO 
SAVE THE LIFE OF AN ORGANIZATION OR AN AN¬ 
NUAL MEETING in which case it may be presented even after 
the motion to adjourn has been moved, seconded, stated, voted 
upon but not as yet declared carried. 

Debatable: Yes, when not privileged, i. e., when another 

question is pending. If privileged, it is undebatable. 

Amendable: Yes, but if the motion is undebatable amend¬ 
ments also become undebatable. 

Vote: Majority. 


42 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


EIGHTH LESSON 


The Point of Order 

Appeal from the Decision of the Chair 
THE POINT OF ORDER 

It is the duty of the presiding officer to see that the business 
of the organization is carried on in an orderly manner and 
according to the rules of the body (constitution, by-laws and 
standing rules) and of the rules of common parliamentary law. 

It is his duty to enforce order—such order as will enable 
business to be transacted quickly, clearly and correctly. There¬ 
fore he should not wait for members of the organization to call 
his attention to infraction of rules or decorum. 

However, if the Chair neglects his duty in this regard, either 
from ignorance, inattention or from intention, any member of 
the organization may bring the matter to his attention by '‘Rising 
to a Point of Order” in the following manner: 

Form The member rises and says: “I rise to a Point 

of Order” or “A Point of Order, Mr. President.” 
He does not need to have “recognition;” he may 
interrupt business then before the House. If the 
Chair does not respond, he again states, “I rise 
to a Point of Order” and continues at intervals 
until the Chair gives his Point consideration. 

The Chair should immediately respond: “State 
your Point,” If another member has the floor 
at the time, he should at once yield it (resume 
seat) until the point is decided. All business 
ceases until the decision is reached. The member 
raising the point then states his point, without 
Undebatable debating or explaining it. As an example,'—“I 
rise to a point of order.” (Chair) “State your 
Point.” (Member) “The question is undebatable,” 
(Chair) “The Chair deems the point well taken.” 
The member who was debating at the time the 
point was raised, therefore, is not again given 
the floor. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 43 


Decision 


Appeal 

Assumed 


Vote 


The Chair at once (if he is able) rules upon the 
point made. While the Point of Order is unde- 
batable, the Chair may ask the member’s reasons 
or his authority for the point made. Unless the 
Chair does ask this, however, the member should 
not presume that the Chair needs instruction, 
stating his point merely. 

The Chair then announces his decision: “The 
Chair deems the point well taken,” if he agrees; 
or “The Chair deems the point not well taken,” 
if he dissents from the member’s point. The 
decision of the Chair closes the matter unless 
an appeal is made. 

The Point of Order is not a motion and does 
not need to be seconded, stated or voted upon. 

If the Chair is himself in doubt, he may assume 
an appeal and put the matter immediately to the 
House for its decision, saying: “The question 
is upon the decision of the Chair as made. All 
who are in favor of sustaining the decision as 
made say ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’; the motion is car¬ 
ried (or lost).” 

A majority of those voting—or a tie sustains the 
decision of the Chair. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To call the attention of the Chair to the fact that 
something is going on which is out of order. 

Form: “I rise to a Point of Order.” 

Rank: May be made at any time,—even when business is 
pending or when another member has the floor. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Fote: No vote is taken, the decision of the Chair closing the 
matter unless or until an “appeal” is taken. 

APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR 

Object When a member dissents from a decision which 

the Chair has announced, and desires to appeal 
from the decision of the Chair to a vote of the 




44 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Form 


Debate 


Vote 


Exception 
to Rules 


House, he should rise as soon as the decision is 
announced —even though another member has the 
floor — and “appeal” as follows: “Mr. (or 

Madam) President, I appeal from the decision of 
the Chair.” The member appealing does not need 
to wait for “recognition” from the Chair. 

If the “appeal” is seconded, the Chair states it as 
follows: “An appeal has been made from the 
decision of the Chair; Shall the decision of the 
Chair stand (or be sustained).” 

If the appeal arises upon a question which was 
debatable, the appeal is debatable; otherwise the 
members may not discuss it. In any event, the 
Chair—from his position as presiding officer, with¬ 
out leaving the chair—states briefly his reasons 
for the decision made. An appeal may not be 
debated if it arises from an undebatable question, 
if the matter relates to indecorum, transgression 
of the rules of speaking or priority of business. 
The Chair may close the debate if the question is 
debatable. 

The Chair having taken the vote upon “sustain¬ 
ing the decision of the Chair,” states (if carried) : 
“The motion is carried and the decision of the 
Chair which was (repeating it) stands.” If the 
motion is lost, the Chair states : “The motion is 
lost, the decision of the Chair which was (stat¬ 
ing) is reversed.” He then corrects the proced¬ 
ure in accordance with action. A majority vote, 
if in the affirmative, or a tie vote, sustains the 
Chair, 

In all other cases than an appeal a tie vote is 
lost,'—here it sustains the Chair. Note this ex¬ 
ception also; that the Chair may debate the 
question from his ofiicial position in the Chair. 

An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be 
laid upon the table, such motion, being applied, 
having the effect to shut off discussion upon it; 
and, if carried, to sustain the decision of the 
Chair without a vote upon it. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 45 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To secure through a vote of the House reversal 
of a decision made by the Chair. 

Form: ‘T appeal from the decision of the Chair.” 

Rank: Must follov^ immediately the decision of the Chair. 

Debatable: Yes, if question upon which appeal arises is 

debatable. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority (affirmative) or tie vote sustains the deci¬ 
sion of Chair. 





r‘/Li 




46 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


NINTH LESSON 


MOTIONS CLOSING, LIMITING OR EXTENDING 
DEBATE 

As a general rule all motions are debatable; it is the excep¬ 
tion when otherwise, and there are very good reasons for each 
such exception. 

Each member of an organization has the right—when debate 
is allowed—^to discuss once each motion, and the mover of the 
main motion and the chairman of a committee has the right to 
close debate. While this is the rule, there are times when to 
exercise this right would be to prolong unnecessarily the dis¬ 
cussion. The only use for discussion is to enable the members 
to vote intelligently. It is obvious that when more than enough 
to carry or lose a motion have already made up their minds upon 
the subject, it would be a waste of time to extend the discussion. 
At such time it is possible to close or limit the debate by one of 
the following motions. 

“Call for the Previous Question;” motion “To Close Debate;” 
motion that “Debate be Closed at (stating the time) o’clock;” 
motion that “Debate upon this Motion be limited to (stating the 
time) - minutes (or hours) for each speaker.” 

There are certain “family” characteristics in these and in the 
motions to extend debate, it having been closed or limited by one 
of the above motions. These “family” characteristics are: all 
are undebatable and all require a two-thirds vote to carry; those 
which are amendable (having a time specified in them) are not 
debatable either as to the amendments or the motion itself, the 
amendments requiring but a majority vote. 


THE CALL FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION 

This motion is the “aristocrat” of the family. He comes to 
us from the British Parliament, and while the object of the mo¬ 
tion has materially changed, the form is retained. From this fact 
arises the difficulty in the intelligent handling of the motion be¬ 
fore the average organization. Since we have kept the “form” 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 47 


but have so changed the effect that they no longer correspond, 
the form should be memorized by the student as well as the 
effect, if carried. 

Object The object of this motion is to close debate upon 

the motion pending (at that time directly before 
the House to be voted upon), and this would also 
automatically prevent the making of any debat¬ 
able motion while the Previous Question is pend¬ 
ing or after it has been “ordered” (carried). 
Form When a member desires that debate shall cease 

and the vote on the “pending” motion (the one 
at that moment before the House) be taken, he 
rises (if no one has the floor) and, receiving 
recognition,’says : “Mr. (or Madam) Chairman, 
I call for (or move) the previous question.” 
After it has been seconded, the Chair states it as 
follows: “The previous question is called; shall 
the main question be now put?” 

How Applied Please note that this statement in no sense cor¬ 
responds to the result desired, which is to close 
debate and force the vote at once upon the “pend¬ 
ing” question. If there is a main motion, a first 
amendment and an amendment to that amend¬ 
ment pending, the effect of the “call for the pre¬ 
vious question” would, if “ordered” (carried), be 
to close debate on the amendment to the amend¬ 
ment only, and would have no effect whatever 
upon the “previous” or the “main” motions. For 
this reason, the Chair should add to the above 
statement of the question, the following: “All 
those in favor of closing debate upon the second 
amendment rise, etc.” If the desire is to close 
debate upon the second amendment, the first 
amendment and the main motion, the statement 
should be so made, “all in favor of closing debate 
on the series, etc., (the main motion and both 
amendments).” The Previous Question may be 
“called” upon such other f^ending motions as may 
be desired. 

Undebatable As this motion is for the purpose of shutting off 
Unamendable debate, it cannot be debated; nor is any amend- 
Vote nent possible. It may be applied to any debat¬ 

able motion. Because it interferes with the funda- 


48 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


mental right of debate, it must be carried by 
more than dhe majority which would be required 
to carry or lose the question before the House, 
in other words, it requires a two-thirds vote (of 
those who vote) to “order” (carry) this Call for 
the Previous Question. If carried, the Chair so 
states and then without asking for “remarks” pro¬ 
ceeds to put the question upon the “pending” mo¬ 
tion and then upon all motions covered by the 
order for the previous question. No debatable 
motion, even if under other circumstances it 
should be of higher rank and therefore in order, 
is allowed. A motion of higher rank zvhich is 
undebatahle, however, may be entertained at this 
time. If a motion or series of motions to which 
the Previous Question has been ordered goes to 
the table but is later taken from the table, the 
motion or series of motions comes back subject 
to the “order for the previous question” and would 
still be undebatable. The Previous Question while 
pending, but unvoted upon, may be laid upon 
the table, which would relieve the motions to 
which it was to be applied, and they would stand 
as before the Previous Question was “called.” 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To close debate and force the vote immediately upon 
the pending question or such series of motions as are stated in 
the motion. 

Form: “I call (or move) the Previous Question.” 

Rank: May be applied to any debatable motion. 

Debatable: No. 

Atn-endable: No. 

■ Vote: Two-thirds of number voting. 


TO CLOSE DEBATE 

This motion is the* “American Cousin” of the Call for the 
Previous Question. It differs in “form” only, the treatment and 
effect,being identical. 

:nThe member who desires that debate be closed and the vote 
taken, moves that debate be closed upon the amendment, or 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 49 


series, or the motion to refer to a committee ;^in short, specifies 
the motion or motions to which he desires it to apply. The mo¬ 
tion must be seconded, is not debatable and in all respects except 
in the form is uniform with the Previous Question. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To close debate and force the vote upon the pending 
motion, or series of motions, as desired and stated in the motion. 

Form: ‘T move that debate upon (stating motions) be 

closed.” 

Rank: May be applied to any'debatable motion or series of 
motions. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Two-thirds. 


TO CLOSE DEBATE AT A SPECIFIED TIME 

Sometimes it is not desired to entirely cut off debate upon a 
question, but it is desired to set a time at which it shall cease 
and the vote upon the matter be taken. This motion may then 
be applied: “I move that debate upon (stating) shall close at 
(stating time).” The treatment of the motion is the same as 
the two previous except that, inasmuch as it contains a state¬ 
ment of time, that part of the motion may be amended. The 
amendments, however, as well as the motion itself, are undebat- 
able. The effect, if carried, would be to automatically close the 
debate at the time named. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To close the debate at a specified time. 

Form: “1 move that debate upon (stating) be closed at 
(stating).” • 

Rank: May be applied when a debatable motion is before the 
House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Two-thirds. 





50 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

TO LIMIT DEBATE TO A CERTAIN TIME FOR 
EACH SPEAKER 

The object of this motion is not to limit or close the time 
for discussion on the subject, but the time which each speaker 
may consume in his debate. 

The member moves “that the time for each speaker be lim¬ 
ited to (stating).” Like the other motions of its class it cannot 
be debated; although, containing a time specified, that part of the 
motion may be amended but not debated. It may be applied at 
any time when a debatable motion is before the House and 
requires a two-thirds vote. The effect is to automatically close 
debate for each speaker when the time specified has been con¬ 
sumed. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To limit the debate to a specified time. May be ap¬ 
plied to individual.debate or to a definite closing time. 

Form: “I move debate be limited to - minutes for each 

speaker.” ‘T move that debate upon this matter be closed at- 

o’clock.” 

Rank: May be applied to any debatable motion. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: Yes, when a time is specified but in that case 
the amendment is not debatable. 

Vote: Two-thirds of the members voting. 


TO EXTEND DEBATE WHICH HAS BEEN 
PREVIOUSLY CLOSED BY A TWO-THIRDS 
VOTE 

In the above cases where debate has been closed at a given 
time, or the time limited for each speaker, the door so closed may 
be opened and the debate continued by the following process: 

When the time set has arrived at which the debate is to close, 
a member may move “that the time limit for debate be extended 
(stating time).” This motion is not debatable; amendable 
so far as the time is concerned; amendments not debatable; 
motion as amended requires a two-thirds vote. If carried, the 
time is ^tended, but at the close of the specified time the door 
automatically closes again, debate ceasing. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 51 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To extend the time limit on debate which has pre¬ 
viously been closed by a two-thirds vote. 

Form: “I move that the time limit on closing debate be ex¬ 
tended to (state time) “I move that the time limit for debate 
for (name members) be extended to (state time).” 

Rank: May be applied at any time (except when member 
has the floor) when debate has been limited, either as to single 
speech or entire time for the matter. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: Yes, but such amendment is not debatable. 

Vote: Two-thirds of those voting. 


Other motions along this line may be made and similarly 
treated. Note that amendments to motions which require a two- 
thirds vote may be carried by a majority vote but that the motion 
as amended must be carried by a two-thirds vote. 



52 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


TENTH LESSON 


In the previous lessons we have grouped the mo¬ 
tions according to similarity of object. There are a 
number of motions Avhich have not fallen within these 
groups. These motions are the following: 


TO EXPUNGE FROM THE MINUTES 

Object The object of this motion is to erase from the 

records the statement of some action taken. It 
is usually made a part of the motion To Rescind 
Action, in this wise: “I move to rescind the 
action of (stating it) and to have the record of 
it expunged from the minutes.” If this is done, 
however, the Chair should divide the motion, tak¬ 
ing action on each motion separately. 

• Except for the object of expressing strong dis- 
' approval of the objectionable action, however, 
this motion is valueless. According to the 
authorities (Robert’s; Sherman, etc.), it is im¬ 
possible to “erase” or “blot out” from the records 
action when recorded. 

The form of the motion, if made, should be: 
“I move to expunge from the records (stating 
here the full text of the matter to be expunged).” 

The motion must be seconded and stated by the 
Chair; may be fully discussed; may be amended 
so far as restricting the matter so to be ex¬ 
punged within certain limits, and can he carried 
only by a majority vote of the entire member¬ 
ship of the body which took the original action. 
This ruling makes it practically impossible of 
passage in most organizations, since the majority 
of the entire body is rarely present at any meet¬ 
ing. This would not be the case in a board 
meeting where usually the majority of that body 
is present. 


Form 


Affirmative 
Vote of 
Entire 
Membership 
Necessary 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 53 


If the motion carries, the matter is “expunged” 
either by “ringing” and noting in the margin 
“This matter expunged by order of the assembly,” 
or by drawing through the objectionable words 
a line and making the above notation. In either 
case, attention is drawn to the matter rather than 
erased, and two records of the action have been 
made instead of obliterating the first. In the 
judgment of parliamentarians the action is “not 
parliamentary.” 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To erase from the minutes recorded action. 

Form: “I move to expunge from the records,” etc., identify¬ 
ing the matter. 

Rank: Lowest; cannot be moved when any other matter 

is before the house. 

Debatable: Yes. * 

Amendable: Yes, limited. 

Vote: Majority of the entire membership of body taking 

original action. 

Note: This motion is in bad repute among parliamentarians, 
many of whom do not admit that it is “parliamentary action.” 


Object 


Form 

Amendable 

Debatable 


Vote 

Effect 


TO RATIFY ACTION 

The object of the motion To Ratify Action is to 
make the action of some person or of some other 
body the action of the organization where this 
motion is presented; to confirm action taken by 
an individual or some other body, making such 
action the action of this House. 

In stating the motion, a clear statement of the 
matter desired to be confirmed should be made 
as follows: “I move to ratify (stating action).” 
The motion is fully debatable and may be amend¬ 
ed so far as limiting the extent of the matter 
to be confirmed,—i. e., a part only being confirmed 
instead of the whole as stated in the main motion. 
A majority vote (of those voting) only is re¬ 
quired, and if carried, the action thus ratified 
becomes the action of the body confirming it as 




54 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


though in the first place it had originated there. 
Sometimes it seems necessary for the president or 
the chairman of a committee or a Board to exceed 
authority given because of the exigencies of the 
case. When the body then convenes a statement 
is made of the action taken and the reasons 

and a motion is made “to ratify the action of-, 

being as follows: —--.” If, however, the 

House refuses to ratify, the action, as taken by 
the person or board, is not binding upon the 
House but must remain the action of individuals 
only. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To confirm action taken by an individual or another 
body, making such action the action of the House. 

Form: “I move to ratify the action of,” etc. 

Rank: Lowest; must be moved when there is no other matter 
before the House. 

Debatable: Yes, fully. 

Amendable: .Yes, limited. 

Vote: Majority. 


READING OF PAPERS 

I 

In a parliamentary sense there are two kinds of 
papers: those “under consideration” and those 
“not under consideration.” 

Object Papers under consideration are those motions, 

resolutions, communications or reports which are 
before the House for a vote. Members are en¬ 
titled to have them '“read” as many times as 
necessary for a clear understanding of their im¬ 
port and no motion is necessary. 

Form A member rises and says: “I call for a reading 

of the matter under consideration” or “for the 
motion” or “for the resolution,” etc. The request 
must be granted by the Chair. No vote is taken. 
Papers not under consideration relate to extrane¬ 
ous matter which is not directly before the House 
but which may have some bearing upon it in the 





Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure • 55 


mind of the member desiring to present it,—such 
as a lawyer’s brief upon the matter under dis¬ 
cussion, a letter from a non-member on the sub¬ 
ject, etc. 

Vote Such matter should never be allowed without 

unanimous consent of the House or a vote (ma¬ 
jority) upon a motion that the member be al- 
’ lowed to read the paper. The Chair asks 

unanimous consent for the reading of the paper, 
but if there is “objection” it may be read only 
, upon motion made, seconded and carried as above. 

Such motion is neither debatable nor amendable 
however. 


RECAPITULATI9N 

(A) Papers Under Consideration. 

Object: To have a re-reading of the motion, resolution or 
communication under consideration. 

Form: “I call for the reading of,” etc. 

Rank: May be called for whenever desired and as many times 
as desired before the vote is decided by the Chair. It is not a 
motion and the “call” is allowed without a vote. 

.(B) Papers not under Consideration. 

Object: To permit the reading of some extraneous matter, 
not directly connected with the matter before the House. 

Form: “I move the paper (stating what it is) be read by the 
secretary,” or “I move the member be allowed to read the paper.” 

Rank: May be moved when a debatable motion is before the 
House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 

MOTION TO RE-COMMIT 

Object A committee is not allowed to exceed the authority 

given by the House in its instructions, and it 
sometimes happens that when the committee re¬ 
ports it is found that its work has not been broad 
enough or for some other reason it is desirable 




55 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Rank 


Debatable 


to have its work proceed further. It is then in 
order to “Move that .the matter be re-committed 
for the purpose of (stating the further work 
desired).” 

This motion is in order at any time the motion 
to refer to a committee would be in order; that 
is, it cannot be made if there is a motion of 
higher rank pending, such as “to postpone fur¬ 
ther action upon the report until-” or if there 

is a motion to lay the report upon the table, or a 
question of privilege or any privileged question 
pending. The motion may be made, howeVer, 
while there is a motion pending to amend the 
recommendations of the committee. In other 
words, it takes the same rank as the motion 
To Refer to a Committee. 

The motion may be debated so far as the advisa¬ 
bility of sending it back to the committee is con¬ 
cerned. 

It may be amended—as to instructions, etc. 

A majority vote (of those voting) is required to 
carry, and if carried, the committee is revived 
and takes over the new work. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To refer a matter back to a committee which has 
been once considered and reported. 

Form: “I move that (stating matter) be re-referred to (stat¬ 
ing the committee).” 

Rank: In order whenever a motion to refer to a committee 
could be entertained, i.e., is higher in rank than a main motion 
or its amendments. 

Debatable: Limited to the pending motion (to re-commit). 

Amendable: No. 

Rote: Majority. 


THE MOTION “TO RISE” 

This motion corresponds to the motion to “adjourn sine die” 
but refers to committees only. It is the final motion made in a 
committee when it has completed its work. It requires a major¬ 
ity vote of the committee. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 57 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: Corresponds to the motion To Adjourn when used in 
committee. 

Form: “I move the committee rise.” 

Rank: In order at any time when the report of the commit¬ 
tee has been completed. 

Debatable: Yes. 

.Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 

Note: The motion to “rise, report progress and ask for 
leave to sit again” corresponds to the motion for an adjourned 
meeting before an assembly. 


TO MAKE A SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 


Object 

Vote 

Rank 


May be 
Further 
Postponed 


Amendable 

Debatable 


The object of this motion is to give it “the right 
of way” over the regular business as laid down 
in the Order of Business. If voted (by a two- 
thirds vote), it must be called up at the time 
specified in the motion, or if no time is set in the 
motion, it takes precedence over all business ex¬ 
cept the minutes, yielding (giving way), however, 
to the motion To Adjourn, or any other privileged 
motion, or to any “special order” made before 
this one. 

Having been called up by the Chair, it may, upon 
motion, be further postponed to a time given in 
the motion. It must, however, be called up at 
the time given in the motion making it a Special 
Order. 

The motion to make a special order is both amend¬ 
able and debatable. 

If matter is postponed to a certain time, hour, or 
special place in the program, jt becomes a special 
order of business for that time. (See lesson on 
Postponing Definitely). 



58 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To give the “right of way” to some important order 
of business. 

Form: (a) “I move to make (stating) a special order of busi¬ 
ness for (stating the date or time desired).” (b) When a mat¬ 
ter is postponed to a definite hour of a definite day it is thus 
made a special order of business. 

Rank: May be made as a main motion or as a part of the 
motion to postpone to a definite time, in which case would have 
the rank of the latter motion. 

Debatable: Yes. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Two-thirds of the members voting. 

Note: If matter is made a special order of business for a 
certain day, it takes precedence of all matters but the minutes. 
If ‘for an hour of a special day, it must be taken up at that 
time, but may then be further postponed. 


TO SUSPEND THE RULES 

The object of this motion is to set aside for the 
time a rule which interferes with some desired 
action. 

By-laws may not be “suspended” unless there is 
in the by-laws themselves a section which pro¬ 
vides for such suspension. 

In making the motion, it must be stated for what 
purpose the motion to suspend the rule is made, 
as “I move to suspend the rule excluding busi¬ 
ness for the purpose of introducing a resolution 
as follows (stating).” This is necessary as the 
motion to suspend is both undebatable and un- 
amendable. 

Because this motion contemplates interference 
with established rules, it requires a two-thirds 
vote. If carried, the business for which the rule 
was suspended is allowed, and when finished the 
rule becomes again operative. 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To set aside for the time being a rule which inter¬ 
feres with some desired action. 


Object 


By-Laws 

How 

Suspended 

Undebatable 

Unamendable 


Vote 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure • 59 

Form: “I move to suspend the rule which interferes with,” 
etc. 

Rank: In order when there is no other matter before the 
House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Two-thirds of those voting. 

Note: By-Laws may not be suspended unless they contain a 
provision for such suspension. 


TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE 

The object of this motion is to enable the House 
to resume where it left off action upon some 
matter which has been laid upon the table. 

If this motion prevails, the House resumes the 
matter tabled at the point where it was tabled, 
the matter which is thus taken up coming back 
exactly in the same shape subject to all adher¬ 
ing motions, subject to the previous question, 
if that motion had been moved and carried be¬ 
fore the matter went to the table; and any mem¬ 
ber who had exhausted his right to debate before 
tabling is still barred from debate upon the mo¬ 
tion pending. In other words, it comes back 
as it went to the table. 

Undebatable It is the motion To Table reversed, except so 

Unamendable far as its rank is concerned. It may be made 
only when there is no other motion before the 
House; it may not be amended nor debated, and 
it requires a majority vote (of those voting) to 
carry. 

Rank Matter which has been laid upon the table may 

be taken from the table at any time after business 
or announcement or address or anything for 
which it was laid upon the table has been exe¬ 
cuted, upon the same day it was tabled, or the 
next similar meeting; providing, however, such 
next meeting falls within three months. After 
that time the matter “dies,” and it may not again 
be taken up except as “new matter,” introduced 
under “new business” and treated as such with¬ 
out reference to the previous hearing. 


Object 

Effect 



60 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To take up again a matter which has been laid upon 
the table. 

Form: “I move to take from the table (specifying the 

motion).” 

Rank: Lowest; may be moved when there is no other motion 
before the House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 


TO WITHDRAW A MOTION 

• When a member has made a motion, before a second has been 
given, it belongs to him absolutely and may be withdrawn if he 
desires. After it has been stated by the Chair, it becomes the 
property of the House, and may not now be withdrawn without 
its consent, either given unanimously or upon motion that the 
motion be withdrawn, seconded and carried by a majority vote. 
If the member making the motion desires to accept an amend¬ 
ment as presented, the same procedure is followed. It may be 
done by “consent,” that being unanimous. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To remove without prejudice and without a vote 
upon it a motion which has been moved, seconded and stated by 
the Chair. 

Form: (a) When a member has made a motion, but it has 
not been stated, it may be withdrawn by the member; when 
stated, it may be withdrawn only by unanimous consent or upon 
a motion; “I move that the motion be withdrawn;” (b) or 
“I move the member be allowed to withdraw his motion.” 

Rank: At any time when the motion referred to is before 
the House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: (a) Unanimous consent, (b) Majority. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 61 


ELEVENTH LESSON 


ORGANIZATION 

To organize is to form into systematic relation individuals 
who desire a common purpose by concerted action. 

A public call through the press, or by notice to those believed 
to be interested, is issued for a meeting at a given time and 
place. This is called a Mass Meeting. It is temporary in char¬ 
acter, usually limited to one or two meetings or sessions. It is 
for the purpose of forming public opinion upon some matter, or 
with the intention of evolving a temporary or a permanent organ¬ 
ization with a well-defined object. 


MASS MEETING 

Those who have the matter of a Mass Meeting in charge 
should be the ones whose interests are well established in the 
matter to be presented. These promoters—for such they are— 
should be at some pains to formulate their plans, and arrange a 
definite program. 

Unlike a club or a permanent organization, a Mass Meeting 
should be “cut and dried,” the one who is to preside carefully 
selected, the resolutions which are to crystallize the object of the 
meeting thoughtfully drawn and in proper form for adoption and 
for publication. Those who are to present these resolutions and 
to support them by debate should be selected and_ coached, and 
their names in the order in which they are to speak should be 
•n the hands of the chairman of the meeting. 

If the plan be to form a permanent organization, the name 
and the object should be considered by these promoters and those 
who are to present the necessary motions chosen and “primed.” 
The personnel of a committee which shall be appointed to draft 
constitution and by-laws should be settled in conference and 
usually these papers themselves are drawn, ready to be handed to 
the Committee on Constitution and By-Laws when appointed. 
This will facilitate the work and ensure that the object for 
which the organization is to be formed will be along the lines 
desired by those promoting it. 




62 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

This preliminary and self-appointed committee often concerns 
itself also with the selection of suitable permanent officers as 
suggestions to a later appointed Nominating Committee. 

All this—which would be undesirable in a well established or¬ 
ganization—is right and wise in the launching of a new enter¬ 
prise since those who are calling the Mass Meeting are those 
who have had the matters to be presented most at heart, and 
they alone will be able to present the cause clearly and logically 
and without waste of time. Preparation also prevents the meet¬ 
ing being “run away with” by those unsympathetic in the audi¬ 
ence, or by the purpose being misunderstood and aborted. 

When the time has arrived which was set for the meeting 
(perhaps granting a little time for the tardy), one who has signed 
the “Call” calls the meeting to order by a tap of the gavel and 
the request that “The meeting will please be in order.” He (or 
she) then either calls to the chair the person who has been 
selected as Chairman, or asks for a nomination for a person 
to fill that office. The former method is safer, however. If the 
nomination is asked for, there may be as many nominations 
presented as there are persons present, and if more than one is 
nominated, a ballot vote must decide upon the choice of chairman. 

The Chairman of the meeting then taking the Chair, a Record¬ 
ing Secretary is appointed (or elected). This may be appointed 
by the Chair, with the consent of those present, or by nomina¬ 
tion and election as indicated in the choice of the Chairman. If 
the Chair appoints, he says, “With the consent of those present, 

the Chair will appoint -'-. Secretary of this meeting. 

Hearing no objections - will act as Secretary.” 

The Secretary then reads the “Call” for the meeting, being 
the notice which brought them together. The Chair usually 
opens the discussion of the matter by a well prepared statement 
of the reasons which instigated the calling of the meeting. He 
then asks for discussion,^—or, what is better, calls upon those in 
turn whose names have been given him by those promoting 
the meeting. After the matter has thus been well presented, 
the Chairman is justified in opening the meeting to a general 
discussion of the whole matter. 

Care must be taken not to “recognize” cranks, several speci¬ 
mens of which are usually in evidence at a public Mass 
Meeting. The presiding officer should be a person of influence, 
of tact, and resource, as well as interest in the matter presented. 
He should be able to keep the meeting within the bounds of 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 63 


propriety and the discussion within the scope of the Call. He 
should have the courage to handle a “heckler” and to see that 
the audience gets what it wants. 

When in the judgment of the Chair, the matter presented 
has been sufficiently canvassed, the resolutions prepared should be 
presented. Knowing who is to present the “regular” resolutions, 
the Chair is thus able to exclude any presented by an opposing 
faction, since the power to “recognize” (select by calling the 
name of one whom the Chair desires to hear) a speaker, is vested 
in the presiding officer only. 

The Chair should allow free debate before putting the ques¬ 
tion upon the adoption of the resolution, which is for the purpose 
of crystallizing the opinion of those present upon the object of the 
meeting. Amendments may be offered and if in regular form 
and seconded, after debate, will be put to vote; if carried the 
resolutions thus amended (modified) will be voted upon. 

If the object of the meeting be to form public opinion only, 
this usually closes the work of the day. A* motion is made that 
the meeting do now adjourn sine die, and if seconded and 
carried, the meeting dissolves forever. 


64 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


TWELFTH LESSON 


PERMANENT ORGANIZATION 


If the Mass Meetmg, called as set forth in the Eleventh 
Lesson, is for the purpose of planning and forming a permanent 
organization, the procedure is as follows : 

The object should be suggested, discussed and crystalized as 
in Lesson 11, After the passing of the resolution, declaring 
the intention to be the forming of such a society, the next mat¬ 
er taken up is usually the naming of the infant society. 

Upon a motion being presented embodying the name, seconded, 
discussed and “carried,” there follows the matter of the “object” 
for which the new society is created, the scope of the work or 
study which it is to undertake. This object of an organization 
must cover all the activities which are anticipated. While it is 
not necessary that the work done should fill the provisions of 
this declared “object,” the organization should take care that it 
does not restrict its efforts, for nothing may be undertaken which 
is ultra vires—beyond the powers—stated in its “object.” 

At this point the matter of the “Constitution” is then in order. 
If the new society is to be chartered, no constitution is needed 
as the charter is its constitution; but if this is not contem¬ 
plated, the constitution must be adopted. 

A Committee on Constitution and By-Laws is usually pro¬ 
posed by motion, seconded and carried. The appointment of such 
committee is usually left to the Chair—the presiding officer. The 
personnel of this committee has no doubt been discussed and 
decided upon by those interested in the calling of the meeting. 
It may well be that this committee, anticipating this action, has 
already drawn up a tentative constitution and can present it after 
a brief absence from the room in consultation. If, however, 
it is deemed best to take more time, the meeting is usually ad¬ 
journed to a set day and hour, at which meeting the committee 
shall report. 

Whether it be at this meeting or another, when the com¬ 
mittee reports the Constitution, the chairman of the committee 
reads the document as prepared by the committee, and “moves 
the adoption of the Constitution as read.” This motion being 
seconded and “stated” (repeated) by the Chair, the first Article 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 65 

is again read, and the Chair asks if there are any amendments 
desired. If none are forthcoming, the Chair states that the 
Article as read “stands,” and proceeds in like manner with the 
rest. Article by Article. If an amendment (change) is moved 
upon any of the Articles, such amendment is stated, after being 
seconded, discussed and voted upon. The Article as amended, 
however, is not voted upon at this point, the vote being taken 
“on the Constitution as amended (if changes are made)” after 
all Articles have been read, “passed” or “amended.” 

The Constitution should contain only the points of vital inter¬ 
est, such as are designed to be permanent or not readily changed. 
There are six of these Articles which should be covered in the 
Constitution. Article I, Name; Article II, Object; Article III, 
Qualification for Membership; Article IV, Officers and Directors 
(entitling the former and enumerating the latter, but not how 
elected or giving their duties) ; Article V, Aleetings (usually the 
time of the Annual Meeting only) ; Article VI, Amendments 
(method by which the Constitution may be amended). 

There are then two methods of procedure. Either is correct. 
There may be given at this point (after adopting the Constitu¬ 
tion) an opportunity for all who desire to join the society to 
sign the Constitution, and those who do not so sign are expected 
to withdraw,—at least they do not take part in the further pro¬ 
ceedings. The “members,” are those who pass by-laws, and 
elect the permanent officers by the method laid down in the by¬ 
laws which they have just adopted. 

The other method is to proceed to pass the by-laws before 
asking those who desire to join to sign,—and after the Consti¬ 
tution and By-Laws are signed the election of officers and direc¬ 
tors is conducted accordingly. 

The By-Laws cover such matters as, while not of so funda¬ 
mental a character as those in the Constitution, are yet of such 
importance that they should not be changed without notice of 
intention to the membership. Both Constitution and By-Laws 
should not be amended by a lesser vote than two-thirds of those 
voting,—a quorum, of course, being present. 


66 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


THIRTEENTH LESSON 


CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 

An organization having a charter from a state or from the 
government of the United States, has no need of a constitution, 
its charter taking the place. When an organization is char¬ 
tered, it must abide by the law governing such corporations and 
its by-laws and standing rules must not be inconsistent therewith. 

On the other hand, if the organization has no charter it 
should have a constitution which should cover such points of 
government as should be stable. 

The constitution of a society should cover the following 
points': Name, Object, Membership, Officers, Meetings, 

Amendments. 

Suggested Form for Constitution and 
By-Laws for a Civic Club 

CONSTITUTION 

ARTICLE I 
Name 

The name of this organization shall be. 

ARTICLE II 
Object 

The object of the organization shall be co-operation in 
Community Service, the joy of companionship, and the dis¬ 
cipline of service. 

ARTICLE III 

I 

Membership 

The qualifications for membership in this organization shall 
be sympathy with the objects of the organization, and a wil¬ 
lingness to work toward their accomplishment. 






Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 67 


ARTICLE IV 
Officers 

The officers of this organization shall be: a President, a 
First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Recording 
Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, and a Treasurer, These 
offices and five directors shall constitute the Board of Man¬ 
agers. They shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall 
serve one year and until their successors are elected and 
qualified. 

ARTICLE V 
Annual Meeting 

The annual meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday in 
May of each and every year, at such place and hour as shall 
be determined by the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE VI 

Amendments 

This constitution may be amended at any annual meeting 
or adjourned session thereof by a two-thirds vote of members 
voting, a quorum being present. Notice of the proposed 
amendment shall be given in writing with the call to the 
meeting. 


BY-LAWS 


ARTICLE I 
Membership 

Section 1. Membership in the. 

shall be of three classes: Active, Non-Resident and Hon¬ 
orary. 

Sec. 2, Active members pay full dues and have all the 
rights and privileges of membership. 

Sec. 3. An applicant for active membership in this club 
shall be endorsed by two members who have personally 
known the candidate for at least two years, upon a blank 
furnished by the Corresponding Secretary for that purpose. 
The application shall be considered by the Board of Managers, 
and a two-thirds vote shall elect the candidate to membership. 
Upon notification of such election and the payment of initia¬ 
tion fee and annual dues, the candidate shall become a member 
of the organization. 





68 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

Sec, 4. A member who has permanently removed his resi¬ 
dence from.to a point not less than one 

hundred miles from the city limits, may, upon application to 
the Board of Managers, be transferred to the non-resident list. 

Non-resident members pay half dues of active member¬ 
ship and have all the rights of membership except the right 
to vote, hold office and endorse for membership. 

A non-resident member may be reinstated to active mem¬ 
bership by payment of full dues, upon the vote of the Board 
of Managers. 

Sec. 5. Honorary Membership may be conferred upon 
one who has rendered distinguished service to humanity upon 
recommendation of the Board of Managers and the unani¬ 
mous vote of the club. 

Honorary Members pay no dues, and have all rights and 
privileges except the right to vote, hold office and endorse 
for membership. 

Sec. 6. Resignations from membership in the club shall 
be in writing and sent to the Board of Managers. No mem¬ 
ber may resign until all dues are paid for the current year. 

Sec. 7. A member whose resignation has been accepted, 
desiring to return to membership in the club, may do so 
without initiation fee, upon recommendation of the Board of 
Managers. 

Sec. 8. A member who has lost his membership through 
non-payment of dues or for reasons other than resignation, 
may be admitted to membership only by application and 
election as a new member. 

ARTICLE II 

Duties of Officers and Directors 

Section 1. The Board of Managers, composed of the 
officers and five Directors, shall have the management of the 
detail business of the organization. Questions of policy, and 
the expenditure of money other) than that voted in the budget 
shall be left to the vote of the club. 

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the President to preside 
at all meetings of the club and of the Board of Managers. 
He shall sign all vouchers and documents when ordered by 
the Board of Managers, and shall have a general oversight 
of the club business. He shall be ex-officio member of all 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 69 


committees, but shall not be required to attend meetings unless 
he desires to do so. 

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Vice Presidents in their 
order to perform the duties of the President in his absence 
or inability to serve. 

Sec. 4. The Corresponding Secretary shall a,ttend to the 
correspondence of the club, except the notifying and instruct¬ 
ing of Special Committees. He shall notify new members, 
officers and directors of election. He shall be the chairman of 
the Printing & Stationery Committee, and the Year book shall 
be made up under his supervision. 

Sec. 5. The Recording Secretary shall keep the Minutes 
of the Board of Managers and of the Club Meetings in books 
which shall be the property of the club and of access at all 
reasonable times and places. He shall notify and instruct all 
committees. He shall be the custodian of the seal of the 
organization and affix it when ordered by the Board to papers 
and documents. He shall sign with the President all official 
papers, vouchers, etc., when ordered by the Board of Man¬ 
agers. 

Sec. 6. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all the 
moneys of the club, received from whatever source. He shall 
pay out moneys only upon order of the Club or the Board 
of Managers, on vouchers signed by the President and the 
Recording Secretary. He shall keep full and accurate books 
of ‘account, containing a record of all moneys received and 
expended, which books shall be the property of the Club and 
open to the inspection of the authorized officials at all reason¬ 
able times and places. 

The Treasurer shall be bonded in such sum as the Board 
of Managers may direct, the cost of such bond to be defrayed 
by the Club. 

The books of the Treasurer shall be audited by a Public 
Accountant at least once a year, the cost of same to be borne 
by the Club. 

ARTICLE III 
Dues 

Section 1. The initiation fee shall be $5, payable upon 
notification of election to membership. 


70 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

Sec. 2. The annual dues for Active Membership shall be 
$5, first payable upon notification of election to membership, 
and thereafter due and payable at the annual meeting. 

Sec. 3. Non-Resident Members pay one-half the annual 
dues of Active Members, beginning with the first annual meet¬ 
ing after being transferred from Active Membership list. 

Sec. 4. Honorary members pay no dues. 

Sec. 5. A member whose dues remain unpaid October 1st 
shall be notified by the Treasurer of his delinquency. If dues 
are not paid by November 1st, the delinquent member shall 
be dropped from the membership of the club and be so notified 
by the Corresponding Secretary. The Board may, however, 
for good and sufficient reasons, extend the time for one month. 

ARTICLE IV 
Meetings 

Section 1. The annual meeting of the organization shall 
be held on the third Tuesday in May of each and every year, 
at such place and hour as the Board of Directors shall select. 
It shall be called by written notice to each member of the 
club. 

Sec. 2. Regular meetings of the club shall be held on the 
first and third Tuesday of each and every month except June, 
July, August and September, the last Tuesday in May being 
the annual meeting. Notice of the place of meeting and the 
hour shall be sent to all members before the first Tuesday in 
October, and that date and hour shall be held for all regular 
meetings throughout the year. No further notice than the 
first shall be sent of such meetings 

Sec. 3. Special meetings of the club may be called by order 
of the President, notice of such meeting to be sent to each, 
member at least five days in advance, the object of the meet¬ 
ing to be stated in the call and no other business to be trans-- 
acted. 

Sec. 4. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall 
be held once a month except in July and August. The first 
meeting of the Board shall be held within one week after the 
annual meting of the club, notice of the time and place to be 
sent to each member. At this meeting the dates and place of 
meetings shall be decided and thereafter no further notice of 
such regular board meetings shall be sent board members. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 7 :X 

■ ’ Sec. 5. Special meeting- of the Board of Directors may be 
called by order of the President, notice of such meetings vtO 
be sent at least twenty-four hours in advance, such notice to 
state the object of the meeting and no other business to Le 
transacted, , ; . , 

ARTICLE V , iiodr 

Quorums 

Section 1. Twenty-five members shall constitute a ,quorum 
for the transaction of business at any meeting of the orgahi- 
zation. ‘ 

Sec. 2. Six members of the Board of Directors shall, con¬ 
stitute its quorum for the transaction of business. 

ARTICLE VI ' ' * 

Standing Committees 

Section 1. At the first meeting of the Board of Directors 
the following Standing Committees shall be appointed; 

House, consisting of three members. 

Social, to consist of seven members. ,i\: 

Finance, to consist of the Vice-President as chairman and 
two other members. 

Program, to consist of seven members. 

Auditing, to consist of three members. 

Sec. 2. The duties of these committees are such as are 
stated in the Standing Rules. 

Sec. 3. All Standing Committees report plans for adop¬ 
tion to the Board before undertaking new work, and teport 
work accomplished to the Club when requested so to-do,, with 
a full report at the annual meeting. 

. ARTICLE VII 

Nominations and Elections 

Section 1. At its April Meeting the Board of Directors 
shall appoint an elections committee of five members, no one 
of whom shall be a Board member. To this committee shall 
be entrusted all business relating to nominations and elections. 

Sec. 2. At the last meeting of the Club in April, nomina¬ 
tions shall be made from the floor for the officers and direc¬ 
tors for the coming year. 


72 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


'No one shall be nominated whose consent to serve has not 
been first obtained. 

Sec. 3. From these nominations the election committee 
shall make up a ticket or tickets, placing the names of the 
candidates in alphabetical order on the ticket, which ticket 
shall be sent to each member with the call for the annual 
meeting. 

^ Sec. 4. The election shall take place at the annual meet¬ 
ing. If there be but one candidate for any office^the vote may 
be viva voce unless objection is made. If there is more than one 
candidate for any office the vote must be by ballot.plurality 
vote shall elect. 

Sec. 5. The Elections Committee shall conduct^'the elec¬ 
tion in the manner laid down in the Standing Rules. 

ARTICLE VIII 
Amendments 

These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the 
organization by a two-thirds vote, a quorum being present. 
Members are requested to send in to the Revisions Commit¬ 
tee desired amendments at least one month before action 
taken, in order that all members may be notified of the pro¬ 
posed amendment. 


ARTICLE IX 
Parliamentary Authority 

.shall be the parlia¬ 
mentary authority in all matters not specified in the Constitu¬ 
tion, By-Laws or standing rules of this organization. 



Practical Lesso^is in Parliamentary Procedure 73 


FOURTEENTH LESSON 


GENERAL RULES 


Power—How Derived 


All power resides in the organization itself. The Board 
of Directors, the President, the officers, the chairmen of com¬ 
mittees, have no inherent powers which are not specifically 
delegated by the organization either in the by-laws, in stand¬ 
ing rules or by motion. Therefore unless such express delega¬ 
tion of power is found in the records, no powers may be suc¬ 
cessfully claimed outside the organized body itself. 

Debate 

A deliberative body reaches its decisions by vote after 
consideration. The rule therefore is that motions are debat¬ 
able. The exceptions to this rule are; 

(a) Motions which, have for their object the limiting, clos¬ 

ing, or extending (after closing) debate. 

(b) Amendments to undebatable motions. 

(c) Privileged motions. 

(d) To lay upon the table or to take from the table. 

(e) To close nominations or the polls. 

(f) To fix the method of voting. 

(g) Leave to withdraw a paper or motion. 

(h) Questions relating to indecorum. 

(i) Call for the orders of the day. 

(j) Suspension of Rules. 

(k) For the reading of papers not under consideration. 

(l) Reconsideration of an undebatable motion. 

(m) Request for permission to, speak out of order. 

(n) Questions relating to priority of business. 

(o) No motion may be debated while an undebatable 

motion is pending (unvoted upon). Motions other¬ 
wise debatable automatically become undebatable 
under these conditions. 





74 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Vote 

The rule is that unless otherwise specified a majority vote 
carries all questions. The exceptions to this rule are: 

(a) Where the by-laws, standing rule, or motion (carried) 

require that the vote be 

(1) unanimous 

(2) plurality 

(3) three-fourths of those voting 

(4) two-thirds of those voting 

(5) 1/5 or other fraction as in legislative bodies on 

ordering the roll-call. 

(b) All motions which have for their object the limiting, 

closing, or extending of debate (it having been lim¬ 
ited). 

(c) All motions which interfere with existing rules. 

(d) To close nominations or polls. 

(e) To suspend or expel a member or depose from office 

where no rule is extant. 

(f) To amend the constitution, by-laws or standing ■ rules 

after they have been adopted. 

Legal Transaction of Business 

An organization cannot transact business which binds the 
organization except at regular meetings or at special meetings 
called for that purpose, a quorum being present. 

At special meetings no other business than that stated in 
the call may be transacted. 

When .no quorum is present, the only motions which may 
be made are the motions to adjourn, and the motion which pro¬ 
vides for an adjourned meeting. 

No business may be transacted which legally binds the 
organization or the board of directors which is not called in 
accordance with the by-laws of the organization. If action is 
taken at an irregularly called meeting, it must be ratified at a 
legal meeting later before it becomes binding. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 75 


ILLUSTRATING THE SEQUENCE OF MOTIONS 

All motions in this “flight of stairs” may be pending at one 
time if made in the order of the ascending scale. 

Any steps may be omitted in ascending. 

No backward step may be taken until vote on higher pending 
motion is lost; or, as in case of an amendment, carried. 

All motions must be made “ascending the steps”; all motions 
made must be voted on in “descending the steps.” 

2nd AmendmentI 
1st Amendment | 

To Fix Time & Place| 

to Which to Adjourn | ’ 

To Adjourn 1 

Second Amendment | 

First Amendment | 

To Take a Recess I 

Second Amendment | 

F'irst Amendment i 

Question of General Privilege | 

Second Amendment | 

First Amendment 1 

Question of Personal Privilege _| 

To Lay the Matter Upon the Table | 

Second Amendment | . • 

F'lrst Amendment | • 

To Postpone to a Definite Time | 

Second Amendment | 

F'lrst Amendment | 

To Go Into a Committee of the Whole _| . 

Second Amendment _ | 

F^irst Amendment _1 

To Refer to a Standing Committee | 

Second Amendment | 

F'irst Amendment to Motion to commit | 

To Refer to a Special Committee _ | 

Second Amendment _ ( 

Qhjection to Consideration or Indefinite Postponement or First Amen dment | 

Main Motion 
































76 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Index 

, PAGE 

Adjourn .39-40 

To Fix Time and Place to which to Adjourn.40-41 

Amendment—(First) to Main Motion.11 

Amendment—(Second) to First Amendment.13 

Appeal—From Decision of the Chair.43-44-45 

Business—Introduction of . 6 

Business—Legal Transaction of .74 

By-Laws—Form for .67-68-69-70 

“Membership” .67-71-72 

“Duties of Officers and Directors” .68-69 

“Dues” .69-70 

“Meetings” . 70 

“Quorums” .71 

“Standing Committees’ ’ .71 

“Nominations and Elections” .71-72 

“Amendments to By-Laws”.72 

“Parliamentary Authority” .72 

Call for the Orders of the Day.34-35-36 

^Committees— 

Special . 7 

Standing .’.16 

Of the Whole .16-23-24-25 

Notification and Instruction of .16 

Organization of .18 

Rules for.*.19 

Report of .20 

Minority Report of . 21 

Give Power to Act.21 

Incorporate Report in Minutes .22 

How Appointed .17 

^ Chairman of, How Appointed .17 
































Practical Lkssons in Parliamentary Procedure 


77 


PAGE 

Constitution—'Form of .66-67 

Debate— 

Limit .46 

Close at Specified Time .49 

Limit Time for Each Speaker .50 

Extend—Having Been Closed by Vote .50-51 

Motions Undebatable .73 

Declinatory Motions .30 

Expunge from Minutes .52-53 

Gavel—Use of . 5 

Mass Meeting .61-62-63 

Membership—Qualifications for .66 

Minutes— 

Approval of . 5 

Correction of . 6 

Motions— 

Main . 7 

Illustrating Sequence of .75 

Objection to Consideration .30-31 

Order—^Call to . 5 

Point of .42 

Orders of the Day . 30-34 

Organization .61 

Mass Meeting .61-62-63 

Permanent .. .'64-65 • 

Constitution of ..66-67 

Papers—Reading of: 

Those under Consideration .54-55 

Those not Under Consideration .55 

Point of Order .42 

Postpone— 

To a Definite Time.26-27 

Indefinitely .32-33 

Previous Question—'Call for .46-47-48 































78 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


PAGE 

Privileged Motions .34 

Privilege—Questions of : 

Personal .36 

General . 37 

Quorums . 5 

No Quorum Present .39 

Lost .39 

(Section in By-Laws) . 71 

Ratify Action .53-54 

Re-Commit—To Committee .55-56 

Reconsider the Vote .14a-14b 

Recess—To Take .38 

Recognition by Chair . 7 

Rescind Action.15a-15b 

Rise—Motion to . 56-57 

Rules—^General . 73 

Special Order of Business—To Make a .57-58 

Substitute Motion.12 

Suspend Rules . 58-59 

Table— 

To Lay Upon the.28-29 

To Take from the ..59-60 

Vote— 

Methods of Taking the. 8 

Motions Requiring Two-thirds .74 

Withdrawing a Motion . 60 


























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